India has stressed the need for the law agencies of all the BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Trade and Economic Cooperation) nations to enhance collaboration so as to effectively deal with the challenge of terrorism and violent extremism. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Tuesday called upon the countries of the BIMSTEC to collectively fight terrorism and violent extremism as also transnational crimes, narco-trafficking and cyber-attacks which affected their economic development efforts.
“We need to put in place the remaining elements of the legal architecture that will enable our law enforcement agencies to collaborate more closely and more effectively,” he said at the BIMSTEC foreign ministers’ meeting in Colombo on Tuesday.
With political turmoil prevailing in Pakistan and the Taliban showing no sign of reform in Afghanistan, India is concerned about the possibility of an increase in terror activities from across the border. With this in view, New Delhi has expedited efforts to strengthen relations with the neighbouring countries which the BIMSTEC consists of. Jaishankar’s emphasis on collective fight against terrorism is being seen in that context as well. Besides India, the regional grouping BIMSTEC comprises Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Thailand. India is focusing more on regional groupings like BIMSTEC ever since SAARC has become almost moribund because of strained ties between New Delhi and Islamabad. Indian diplomatic outreach has been increased to the regional grouping since the Taliban assumed power in Afghanistan, which is another member of the SAARC. Jaishankar’s outreach to the countries of BIMSTEC signals India’s strategy to get much closer to these member states in the neighbourhood. Joint fight against terrorism and extremist forces, economic and trade engagements, maritime security in view of growing Chinese influence and other areas of mutual interests are the priority for India in the BIMSTEC. That is what Jaishankar tried to emphasise on while addressing at the foreign ministers’ meet of the grouping’s member states in Colombo.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the virtual summit of the BIMSTEC grouping on Wednesday (30 March), which is expected to focus on expanding economic engagement among its member countries. PM Narendra Modi’s participation will give further fillip to India’s diplomatic mission aimed at bringing these countries much closer to it.
Meanwhile, underlining that the recent developments in Ukraine have led to “international disquiet”, Jaishankar said the maintenance of international peace and security and even stability “can no longer be taken for granted”. Speaking at the BIMSTEC foreign ministers’ meeting in Colombo on Tuesday, Jaishankar said the countries need to “broaden and deepen cooperation” under BIMSTEC.
The summit is being hosted by Sri Lanka in its capacity as the chair of the grouping BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation). Jaishankar said, “The international system is going through a very challenging phase, perhaps one of the most difficult in recent memory. The challenges of Covid-19 pandemic have not yet fully abated. But recent developments in Ukraine have added to international disquiet. We have all underscored that the maintenance of international peace and security, and even stability can no longer be taken for granted. We must recognise that we face headwinds – both from the global economy and in some cases from within our own domestic economies.”
“Discussed our long standing cooperation in the hydropower sector. Reviewed various other projects and initiatives. Spoke about the Bhutanese talent I saw recently in our training institutions. Look forward to continuing our engagement,” Jaishankar tweeted.
This is Jaishankar’s first visit to the island nation since India extended an economic relief package to bail the country out of the current economic crisis.
He visited Maldives 26-27 March and signed pacts on health and education besides discussing regional security and maritime safety issues with foreign minister Abdulla Shahid.