Nepal has called for stronger regional cooperation to combat cross-border crimes and establish a coordinated disaster preparedness and response mechanism across the Bay of Bengal region, with Home Minister Sudan Gurung raising the issues at the first BIMSTEC Home Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi on October 13.

The meeting concluded with the issuance of the Delhi Declaration, reaffirming member states’ commitment to strengthening regional security cooperation.

Addressing the meeting, Gurung highlighted the need for greater information sharing, technology transfer and coordinated action among member states to address terrorism, drug trafficking, human trafficking, money laundering, illicit financial flows and cybercrime.

'Terrorism, drug trafficking, human trafficking, money laundering, illicit financial flows and cybercrime are major challenges to regional security. Addressing these crimes requires effective information sharing, technology and knowledge exchange, and coordinated action among member states,' Gurung said.

Nepal Pushes for Regional Disaster Response Mechanism

Gurung also emphasized the importance of regional cooperation in disaster preparedness and response, citing recent floods and other climate-related disasters in Nepal, including incidents in the Bhotekoshi, Manang-Mustang and Budhi Gandaki areas of Gorkha.

'These incidents have highlighted the importance of regional cooperation in disaster management,' he said, calling for a regional disaster preparedness and response framework under the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC).

He also proposed a joint task force capable of responding to disasters across the region’s diverse geography, extending from the Himalayas to the sea.

The proposal highlights Nepal’s interest in expanding regional cooperation beyond conventional security concerns to include climate-related disasters, which increasingly require coordinated preparedness, information exchange and emergency response across national borders.

Nepal Raises BIS Certification Barriers with India

On the sidelines of the meeting, Gurung held discussions with Indian Home Minister Amit Shah on cooperation in addressing shared security challenges. Gurung also raised technical barriers faced by Nepali businesses seeking access to the Indian market, particularly difficulties associated with certification requirements of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).

According to the information provided by the Nepali side, India’s home minister responded positively to the concerns. The issue is significant for Nepal–India trade, as certification requirements can affect the ability of Nepali producers and exporters to enter or expand their presence in the Indian market. Addressing such technical barriers could help improve market access for Nepali businesses, although any concrete outcome would depend on follow-up discussions and action by the relevant authorities.

BIMSTEC Security Cooperation Gains Focus

The first BIMSTEC Home Ministers’ Meeting was held 29 years after the regional organization was established. Gurung thanked the Government of India, Amit Shah and the BIMSTEC Secretariat for organizing the meeting.

BIMSTEC brings together Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand, connecting South and Southeast Asia through cooperation in areas including security, trade, connectivity and economic development.

For Nepal, stronger cooperation through BIMSTEC could help address cross-border security threats, improve preparedness for climate-related disasters and advance discussions on technical barriers affecting trade with regional partners.

The effectiveness of these commitments will depend on how member states translate the Delhi Declaration and proposals raised at the meeting into practical cooperation, coordinated response mechanisms and measurable progress on shared regional challenges.