Over the years SAARC remained static because of Pakistan. SAARC had failed to make any tangible progress in generating trade, cooperation or even fighting terror. The SAARC summit in Islamabad in 2016 was postponed after Delhi, Bhutan and Bangladesh pulled out in the aftermath of the Pakistan based cross-border terror. The fourth BIMSTEC summit on Friday achieved what the SAARC could not by holding states responsible for encouraging terrorism.
The seven member BIMSTEC member states ( most from SAARC except Pakistan, Afghanistan and Maldives, Myanmar and Thailand as new members )reiterated that their commitment to combat terrorism. They called upon all countries to devise a comprehensive approach in this regard, which should include preventing financing of terrorists and terrorist actions from territories under their control, blocking recruitment and cross-border movement of terrorists, countering radicalisation, countering misuse of internet for purposes of terrorism and dismantling terrorist safe havens.
In a very strongly-worded document following the BIMSTEC summit in Kathmandu, the seven member states deplored the terrorist attacks in all parts of the world, including in BIMSTEC countries, condemned terrorism in all its forms and stressed that such acts can’t be justified.
“Affirm that the fight against terrorism should target not only terrorists, terror organisations and networks but also identify and hold accountable states and non-state entities that encourage, support or finance terrorism, provide sanctuaries to terrorists and terror groups and falsely extol their virtues,” read the document.
The states also agreed to expedite conclusion of BIMSTEC Convention on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters and called upon member states for its early ratification and expressed satisfaction that many member states have ratified the BIMSTEC Convention on Cooperation in Combating International Terrorism, Transnational Organised Crime and Illicit Drug Trafficking and called upon the remaining member states to do so.
“Express our determination to strengthen cooperation and coordination among the law enforcement, intelligence and security agencies; and decide to hold meetings at the level of BIMSTEC home ministers and continue with the BIMSTEC national security chiefs meetings as part of promoting cooperation and coordination on counter terrorism and transnational crimes,” noted the vision document.
