States cooperate to fight terrorism 

[December 15, 2004 - 5.30 GMT]

The first meeting of the BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime was held in New Delhi this week.

BIMSTEC member states comprise of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand. One of the aims of the regional grouping is to curb terrorism and other organized crime in the region. BIMSTEC concedes, action by one country or bilateral action is insufficient to deal with the rapid growth of the menace of terrorism and that terrorist groups gather strength from networking and take advantage of porous borders to operate across these countries.

The leaders of the BIMSTEC member states adopted the BIMSTEC Summit Declaration of July 31, 2004 to establish a Joint Working Group to coordinate such areas as intelligence sharing, strengthening joint efforts on counter terrorism and transnational crime.

During the first meeting the member states agreed to work out programmes of cooperation to deny sanctuary and transit facilities to and take effective measures against individuals, groups and entities involved in or associated with terrorist activities and transnational crime.

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Last Updated Date: December 15, 2004 - 5:30 GMT