Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal (Retd.) Sampath Thuyacontha reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to strengthening regional security cooperation while addressing the 5th BIMSTEC National Security Chiefs’ Meeting held in New Delhi, India.
Representing Sri Lanka at the high-level meeting, the Defence Secretary said the security of the Bay of Bengal region is a shared responsibility that can only be safeguarded through mutual trust, sustained dialogue and coordinated action among BIMSTEC member states, according to the Ministry of Defence.
Highlighting the evolving regional security environment, he noted that terrorism, violent extremism, cyber threats, transnational organised crime, narcotics and human trafficking, misinformation and climate-related disasters transcend national borders and require collective responses.
He stressed that no single country can effectively address these challenges in isolation and emphasised the need for closer regional cooperation.
The Defence Secretary described BIMSTEC as an increasingly important bridge between South and Southeast Asia, saying the regional grouping plays a vital role in promoting peace, stability and sustainable development across the Bay of Bengal region.
He also called for translating dialogue into practical action by strengthening intelligence and information-sharing mechanisms, enhancing cooperation against transnational crime and cyber threats, improving humanitarian assistance and disaster response, and expanding collaboration among regional institutions.
According to the Ministry of Defence, Thuyacontha stressed that lasting security depends not only on stronger borders but also on stronger partnerships built on trust, shared responsibility and common purpose.
Reaffirming Sri Lanka’s commitment to BIMSTEC, he said the organisation’s strength lies in transforming geographical proximity into strategic solidarity, enabling member states to work together to build a peaceful, resilient and prosperous Bay of Bengal region for future generations.
The meeting brought together National Security Chiefs and senior security officials from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand to discuss common regional security challenges and avenues for enhanced cooperation.
Sri Lanka is scheduled to host the 6th BIMSTEC National Security Chiefs’ Meeting in 2027, the Ministry added.
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