Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether India hosted the meeting of the National Security Chiefs of BIMSTEC Member States recently;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the details of issues discussed during the meeting of the BIMSTEC Member States;
(d) whether the meeting of the BIMSTEC Members States has entered into any agreement to counter common security threats such as terrorism and extremism; and
(e) if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI M. J. AKBAR)
(a) & (b) Yes. The first meeting of National Security Chiefs of BIMSTEC Member States was hosted by India in New Delhi on 21 March 2017.
(c) The meeting discussed ways of addressing traditional and non-traditional security challenges and working out collective strategies to deal with spread of terrorism, violent extremist and radicalization. The meeting also discussed cooperation in cyber security; maritime security, including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief; use of emerging space technologies for addressing security challenges; a proposal for setting up of a BIMSTEC Himalayan Science Council to study the health of the ecological systems and their impact on human security; and capacity building.
(d) & (e) The meeting agreed, inter-alia, to deepen cooperation among respective cyber institutions through a Joint Forum on cyber security; and to establish a track 1.5 BIMSTEC Security Dialogue Forum.