The Bangladesh BIMSTEC security meeting placed the Rohingya refugee crisis, maritime security, cyber security cooperation and Bay of Bengal security at the centre of regional discussions, urging member nations to strengthen cooperation against emerging security challenges.
Bangladesh Calls for Stronger Regional Security at BIMSTEC Meeting
Bangladesh urged BIMSTEC member nations to deepen cooperation on regional security, describing stability as the cornerstone of economic progress across the Bay of Bengal. Speaking at the Fifth Meeting of BIMSTEC National Security Chiefs in New Delhi, Bangladesh's Defence Adviser Dr. Shamsul Islam said that security and development are closely connected and require collective action from every member country.
The meeting, chaired by India's National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, brought together senior security officials from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand to discuss emerging regional threats. According to Bangladesh's official delegation, the discussions focused on humanitarian concerns, maritime safety, cyber threats and cross-border cooperation.
Rohingya Refugee Crisis
A key issue raised by Bangladesh was the prolonged Rohingya refugee crisis. Dr. Islam said the country continues to host more than 1.2 million Rohingya refugees, creating significant humanitarian, financial and security pressures. He described the situation as an exceptional humanitarian challenge with wider regional implications because of border management, transnational crime and long-term instability.
Bangladesh reiterated that the safe, voluntary and dignified repatriation of Rohingya refugees remains the only lasting solution. The delegation appealed to all BIMSTEC member states to work together in creating favourable conditions that would allow displaced people to return to Myanmar safely.
Maritime Security
Highlighting the strategic importance of the Bay of Bengal, Dr. Islam said millions of people depend on the region for their livelihoods. However, maritime crime, illegal fishing, trafficking, environmental pollution and natural disasters continue to threaten economic security.
Bangladesh called for stronger coordination among regional navies, coast guards and disaster management agencies. The delegation also encouraged greater use of modern technology, intelligence sharing and joint response mechanisms to improve maritime security throughout the Bay of Bengal.
Cyber Security Cooperation
Bangladesh also outlined its domestic priorities under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, including restoring public confidence, protecting communal harmony and countering online misinformation. Dr. Islam warned that hate speech, disinformation campaigns and AI-enabled manipulation are becoming increasingly sophisticated and require closer regional cyber security cooperation.
The delegation stressed that sharing expertise, improving digital resilience and strengthening cybersecurity frameworks would help BIMSTEC countries address emerging non-traditional security threats more effectively.
Bay of Bengal Security
As the current BIMSTEC Chair, Bangladesh said the organisation should place security and stability ahead of broader economic ambitions. Dr. Islam noted that connectivity may drive regional growth, but lasting development depends on a secure environment built on trust and shared responsibility.
He encouraged member countries to learn from previous regional initiatives while strengthening practical cooperation through BIMSTEC. Bangladesh reaffirmed its commitment to working with all member states to build a safer, more resilient and prosperous Bay of Bengal region through sustained collaboration and coordinated security efforts.
