BIMSTEC Maritime Security Meeting Concludes

BIMSTEC Experts Group Meeting on Maritime Security Cooperation - Key Points

Event Overview:

• Date: 24-25 November 2025
• Location: New Delhi
• Organizer: National Security Council Secretariat
• Chair: Vice Admiral Biswajit Dasgupta (Retd.), National Maritime Security Coordinator
• Participants: Representatives from all BIMSTEC Member Nations, including law enforcement agencies and senior government officials.

Purpose of the Meeting:

• To enhance maritime security cooperation among BIMSTEC nations by addressing various maritime security threats in the Bay of Bengal region.

Focus Areas & Discussions:

• Adoption of Guidelines related to:
  • Maritime security issues
  • Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR)
• Deliberations aimed at:
  • Fostering better linkages between law enforcement agencies
  • Conducting maritime exercises
  • Enhancing information sharing
  • Developing collective response mechanisms against maritime threats
  • Capacity enhancement and capability building through collaborative measures

Outcomes:

• Recognized the maritime domain as a common factor binding BIMSTEC nations.
• Advanced a collaborative approach to tackle maritime security challenges.
• Established a framework for future actions and exercises among member states to improve maritime cooperation.

Relevant Context

BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation):

• An intergovernmental organization comprising seven member countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
• Focuses on regional cooperation in various sectors including security, economy, and environmental issues affecting the Bay of Bengal region.

Maritime Security Context:

• Maritime security threats in the Bay of Bengal include piracy, smuggling, illegal fishing, and potential natural disasters requiring coordinated responses.
• Importance of maritime security emphasized globally, with collaborative mechanisms recommended in recent international maritime security summits.

Strategic Importance:

• The Bay of Bengal is a critical maritime route for trade and transportation.
• Enhanced cooperation among BIMSTEC nations can contribute to regional stability and secure trade routes.

International Implications

• The successful conclusion of the meeting strengthens bilateral and multilateral ties among nations.
• It can serve as a model for other regions confronting similar maritime security challenges.
• Enhanced maritime cooperation can lead to improved geopolitical stability in South Asia.

Summary

The fourth BIMSTEC Experts Group Meeting on Maritime Security established a platform for practical discussions and recommendations aimed at improving maritime security cooperation among member states, marking a significant step in regional strategic partnership and collective security initiatives. The outcomes are expected to enhance collaboration in combating maritime threats, promote joint exercises, and facilitate shared resources and information among BIMSTEC countries.