BRICS adopts Guwahati Declaration to boost anti-drug cooperation, real-time intelligence sharing
Guwahati, July 7
The BRICS nations on Tuesday adopted the Guwahati Declaration, reaffirming their commitment to strengthen cooperation in combating illicit drug trafficking and transnational organised crime, with a strong focus on real-time intelligence sharing, digital technologies and coordinated law enforcement, officials said.
According to an official statement, the declaration was adopted at the conclusion of the two-day BRICS Heads of Anti-Drug Agencies Meeting held in Guwahati under India's BRICS Chairship 2026.
The member countries pledged to enhance the timely exchange of information, intelligence and best practices in accordance with national laws and international obligations while promoting the use of innovative technologies, digital tools and data-driven approaches to counter drug trafficking.
The declaration expressed concern over the growing menace of synthetic drugs and New Psychoactive Substances (NPS), diversion of precursor chemicals, misuse of emerging technologies and virtual assets, and the exploitation of maritime routes and digital platforms by transnational criminal networks.
The BRICS nations also stressed the need for specialised initiatives to reduce drug demand, promote healthy lifestyles and protect vulnerable groups, particularly children and youth, through evidence-based and people-centric approaches.
Leading the Indian delegation, Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Director General Anurag Garg called upon BRICS anti-drug agencies to build a partnership based on speed, mutual trust and seamless real-time intelligence sharing to dismantle transnational drug syndicates.
Highlighting India's anti-narcotics strategy under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Garg said the country has adopted a zero-tolerance policy against drugs and launched a three-year roadmap (2026-2029) based on a network-centric approach aimed at dismantling criminal networks, preventing drug abuse through awareness campaigns and strengthening treatment, de-addiction and rehabilitation.
In his concluding remarks, Garg proposed the creation of a BRICS Virtual Working Group and enhanced cross-border training initiatives, saying anti-drug agencies must work together to break increasingly interconnected global trafficking networks.
Delegates from Brazil, China, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia and the United Arab Emirates also deliberated on challenges such as darknet-enabled trafficking, digital drug networks, precursor chemical diversion and strengthening global supply chains against chemical leakage.
India's BRICS Chairship in 2026 is guided by the theme "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability."
— IANS
Reader Comments
Finally, some concrete action on synthetic drugs. The way these new psychoactive substances are being peddled to youth is alarming. Let's hope this partnership translates into ground-level results.
Interesting to see BRICS expanding its scope beyond economics. The cross-border training initiative sounds promising - international cooperation is the only way to fight these global networks.
Good move, but I hope they also focus on demand reduction. Awareness campaigns in villages and small towns are equally important. Dadi ke nuskhe won't work here - need proper rehabilitation centres too.
Good to see the UAE and Indonesia included - these are key transit points. The Guwahati Declaration feels comprehensive, covering everything from precursor chemicals to maritime routes.
Important step, but we've seen many declarations in the past. Implementation is key. The Virtual Working Group idea is innovative - hope they share actual case studies and not just press releases.
As a teacher, I'm glad they mentioned protecting children and youth. The synthetic drugs epidemic is real. Let's hope this leads to better school-level awareness programmes. 🙏
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