India to host first BIMSTEC Home Ministers’ meeting in New Delhi on October 13
India will host the first-ever BIMSTEC Home Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced on Monday. The meeting is expected to bring together home ministers and delegations from member countries to strengthen regional cooperation on security-related issues.
In a post on X, Shah said the meeting would reflect the member nations’ shared commitment to addressing cross-border security challenges, including terrorism, organised crime, drug trafficking, radicalisation, human trafficking, illicit financial flows and cyber threats.
He welcomed the home ministers and representatives of BIMSTEC member states, describing the gathering as an important step towards improving coordination and building a safer and more secure region.
Shah said India remained committed to working with its regional partners through stronger cooperation to tackle common threats and promote collective security across the BIMSTEC region.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed is expected to skip the inaugural meeting in New Delhi.
Dhaka will instead be represented by a delegation led by a senior bureaucrat, against the backdrop of strained relations between India and Bangladesh. The meeting marks a significant development in security cooperation among countries belonging to the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC).
BIMSTEC comprises Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand. The regional grouping seeks to strengthen cooperation among its members across several areas, including security, connectivity, trade and economic development.
The inaugural Home Ministers’ Meeting is expected to provide a platform for member countries to discuss shared security concerns and explore ways to improve coordination in responding to emerging transnational threats.
