NSA Ajit Doval meets top brass of Thailand, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar ahead of BIMSTEC National Security Chiefs' meeting
New Delhi, July 15
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on Wednesday held a series of bilateral discussions with key leaders from Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bangladesh, and Myanmar ahead of the BIMSTEC Security Summit in the national capital on Thursday.
He held discussions on cooperation across defence and security fronts and exchanged views on key global developments.
NSA Ajit Doval met Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), Defense Secretary of Sri Lanka on Wednesday on the sidelines of the 5th Meeting of BIMSTEC National Security Chiefs. They discussed cooperation on defence, security and maritime issues. They also exchanged views on regional and global security matters.
In his talks with Chatchai Bangchuad, Secretary General of the National Security Council of Thailand, Doval reviewed bilateral security cooperation on the sidelines of the 5th Meeting of BIMSTEC National Security Chiefs. The leaders also discussed further strengthening of the India-Thailand strategic partnership, including through cooperation on intelligence and law enforcement, connectivity, and new institutional mechanisms.
NSA reviewed bilateral security cooperation and exchanged views on regional security matters during his meeting with U Tin Aung San, National Security Adviser of Myanmar today.
He also met Brigadier General ( Retd.) Dr. AKM Shamsul Islam, Defence Adviser to Prime Minister of Bangladesh on Wednesday.
The meeting with key leaders comes as India continues to deepen its partnership across the neighbourhood.
The fifth BIMSTEC National Security Advisers' Meeting will be hosted by India and is scheduled to take place in New Delhi on July 16 (Thursday).
BIMSTEC is a key regional organisation that was established on June 6, 1997, with the signing of the Bangkok Declaration. Initially known as BIST-EC (Bangladesh-India-Sri Lanka-Thailand Economic Cooperation), the organisation is now known as BIMSTEC and comprises seven Member States, with the admission of Myanmar on December 22 1997, and Bhutan and Nepal in February 2004.
— ANI
Reader Comments
NSA Doval's diplomatic outreach is commendable. But I hope these meetings translate into concrete action, especially on counter-terrorism and intelligence sharing. We keep having summits but the ground reality in the Northeast and border areas remains challenging.
BIMSTEC is a sleeping giant. With India's Act East policy, these connections with Thailand, Myanmar, and Bangladesh are vital for both trade and security. The Bay of Bengal is becoming increasingly important geopolitically.
As an observer from the West, it's interesting to see India's growing role in regional security architecture. The BIMSTEC framework seems more pragmatic than SAARC. Doval's meetings with Myanmar and Bangladesh are particularly significant given the Rohingya crisis and cross-border insurgency issues.
Great initiative! But we must ensure that smaller neighbors like Nepal and Bhutan also benefit from these security dialogues. BIMSTEC should not become just a big-power club. The focus on maritime security is timely given China's increasing presence in the Indian Ocean.
Honestly, these high-level meetings are good photo ops, but what about the fishermen being arrested by Sri Lanka? Or the border fencing issues with Bangladesh? Real security starts with addressing ground-level problems. Diplomacy should lead to tangible benefits for common people. 😐
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