Terrorism on BIMSTEC meeting agenda

National security chiefs of seven BIMSTEC member countries arrived in Dhaka yesterday for a crucial meeting today to develop a framework for strengthening cooperation and coordination to address terrorism and the rise of violent extremism in the region.

Diplomatic sources said national security advisers from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand will hold a day-long meeting to formulate a common legal and institutional framework for countering terrorism, transnational crimes, and maritime security threat.

They said the BIMSTEC leaders are determined to find out the mentors, masterminds, abettors, financiers, arms suppliers and trainers of terrorists and extremists to defeat terrorism in the South and Southeast region.

Indian National Security Adviser Ajit Doval arrived yesterday to attend the second meeting of the National Security Chiefs of the Bay of Bengal Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC).

Prime Minister's Security Affairs adviser Maj Gen (retd) Tarique Ahmed Siddique will lead Bangladesh delegation at the meeting, and he will be assisted by senior officials from the defence, home and foreign affairs ministries.

Apart from attending the BIMSTEC meeting, the security chiefs will call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at Gono Bhaban at 7:00pm today.

Officials said the meeting would be able to prepare an effective mechanism to strengthen cooperation to tackle terrorism and the rise of violent extremism for peace, stability and economic development in the region.

They said the officials will discuss measures to counter and prevent the spread of terrorism, violent extremism and radicalisation, and they are expected to take concrete measures to enhance cooperation and coordination among their law enforcement, intelligence and security organisations and enhance capacity building.

Foreign ministry officials said security heads will deliberate on common security challenges and underline the necessity of addressing traditional and non-traditional threats in order to harness economic prosperity and human security in the BIMSTEC region.

Strengthening cooperation in ensuring maritime security including Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief will receive special attention in the meeting.