Sri Lanka calls for stronger regional cooperation at BIMSTEC Security Chiefs’ Meeting

Colombo, July 17 (Daily Mirror) - Sri Lanka has called for stronger regional cooperation to address emerging security challenges in the Bay of Bengal region, with Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) emphasising the need for collective action among BIMSTEC member states.

Addressing the 5th BIMSTEC National Security Chiefs’ Meeting held in New Delhi, India, the Defence Secretary said regional security is a shared responsibility that requires mutual trust, sustained dialogue and coordinated efforts.

He highlighted that challenges such as terrorism, violent extremism, cyber threats, transnational organised crime, narcotics and human trafficking, misinformation, and climate-related disasters cannot be addressed by individual countries alone and require joint responses.

The Defence Secretary described BIMSTEC as an important platform connecting South and Southeast Asia, contributing towards peace, stability and sustainable development in the region.

He called for greater intelligence and information-sharing mechanisms, enhanced cooperation in combating transnational crime and cyber threats, improved humanitarian assistance and disaster response capabilities, and stronger collaboration among regional institutions.

Sri Lanka reiterated its commitment to transforming geographical proximity among BIMSTEC nations into strategic cooperation to build a peaceful, resilient and prosperous Bay of Bengal region.

The meeting was attended by National Security Chiefs and senior security officials from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand to discuss shared regional security concerns and avenues for enhanced cooperation.

Sri Lanka will host the 6th BIMSTEC National Security Chiefs’ Meeting in 2027.