Need regional resolve to deter terror: Amit Shah

New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah has urged for a collective resolve among regional partners to prevent terrorist networks from finding shelter and establishing bases, reiterating India's zero-tolerance policy against terror in all its manifestations.

Speaking at the first Home Ministers' Meeting of BIMSTEC countries, Shah said all members should cooperate in mutual legal assistance and extradition of wanted persons as this would strengthen efforts to crack down on criminals.

He urged for a collective resolve to ensure that terrorists are not allowed to establish training facilities, mobilise resources or conspire to target other member nations. The BIMSTEC collective includes Bangladesh and Myanmar that have faced challenges from extremist groups.


"Our mutual resolution should be to ensure that there is no scope or space for harbouring, recruiting, training, procuring resources, or carrying out activities against neighbouring nations in any part of the region," said Shah.

He said the trust underlying the partnership of BIMSTEC countries is strengthened by the belief that the security arrangements of each member country should contribute to the security of the others.

Shah mentioned counterterrorism and law enforcement as key areas of cooperation and called for exchange of actionable intelligence and greater coordination to combat terrorist financing and organised crime.

Shah mentioned the menace of narcotics, emphasising that drug networks cannot be stopped by the efforts of just one country and need regional coordination. "We must adopt a whole-of-region approach. The illegal proceeds from drugs provide financial strength to organised crime and are also used for terrorist financing," he said.