‘Zero Tolerance For Terrorism’: Amit Shah Urges BIMSTEC Nations To Step Up Cooperation

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Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday reiterated India’s zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism and urged BIMSTEC member states to strengthen security cooperation, intelligence sharing and coordination to tackle regional threats.

At India’s first BIMSTEC Home Ministers’ meeting, Shah highlighted the bloc’s role in regional integration, economic cooperation and collective security.

Shah said India upheld peace and human welfare under ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ and respected every country’s sovereignty, favouring peaceful dispute resolution.

Referring to the sixth BIMSTEC Summit held in Bangkok in April 2025, Shah recalled Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s description of the grouping as a model of inclusive development and security.

Shah called for practical measures to strengthen cooperation among intelligence, law enforcement, financial monitoring and border management agencies. He highlighted international terrorism, cross-border organised crime and drug trafficking as interconnected challenges requiring coordinated action.

The Minister urged member states to prevent terrorist networks from using the region to seek shelter, recruit personnel, conduct training, raise funds or target neighbouring countries. He stressed cooperation on mutual legal assistance and extradition in accordance with national laws and applicable treaties.

Recalling his 2020 BIMSTEC address, Shah warned that drugs harmed youth and society. He said drug profits fuelled organised crime and terrorism, while precursor chemicals and dark-web transactions hindered enforcement.

The Minister described human trafficking as a serious threat to regional security and human rights. He further called for coordinated efforts to identify, rescue, rehabilitate and safely repatriate victims.

BIMSTEC comprises Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand.

The organisation promotes cooperation across sectors including connectivity, energy, agriculture, health, disaster management, climate change and people-to-people relations.

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Pragati Upadhyay

I report stories and occasionally rescue facts from chaos. By profession, I’m a journalist; by conviction, a social worker who believes words should move people, not just headlines. I question power, celebrate ordinary heroes, and sometimes irritate the comfortable. If truth had a shift, I’d probably be working overtime.