India to Host 5th BIMSTEC Security Summit in New Delhi on July 16, 2026

Key facts

• India is hosting the 5th BIMSTEC National Security Advisers’ meeting in New Delhi on July 16, 2026.
• The summit brings together representatives from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
• NSA Ajit Doval is expected to place collective counter-terrorism actions at the top of the agenda.
• Discussions will focus on real-time intelligence-sharing, cross-border threats, and dismantling transnational organised crime networks.
• Maritime security, including securing Bay of Bengal sea lanes, maritime piracy, and illegal fishing, will be a core priority.
• Non-traditional security threats to be addressed include cyber threats, disinformation campaigns, and risks from emerging technologies.
• Bangladesh, the current chair of BIMSTEC, has confirmed its Prime Minister’s Defence Adviser will lead its delegation despite recent diplomatic frictions.