India to Host 5th BIMSTEC National Security Advisers Meeting 2026

By Vikas Sir, Founder & Senior Faculty – Cosmo Classes | 15 July 2026

India will host the 5th BIMSTEC National Security Advisers’ Meeting in New Delhi on 16 July 2026. BIMSTEC is the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation, a regional grouping of seven member states in South and South-East Asia.

BIMSTEC and its Membership

BIMSTEC was established in 1997 as BIST-EC and later renamed. Its members are Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand. It connects the Bay of Bengal littoral through cooperation in security, trade, transport, energy and people-to-people links.

National Security Advisers’ Meeting

The BIMSTEC NSA Meeting is a security dialogue covering cyber security, terrorism, trafficking, transnational crime and satellite cooperation. Bangladesh, the current BIMSTEC chair, has confirmed participation, with its delegation led by Brig. Gen. (Retd.) Dr. A.K.M. Shamsul Islam.

India’s Cyber Security Cooperation in BIMSTEC

India hosted the First BIMSTEC Experts Group Meeting on Cyber Security in 2022 and the Second Meeting on 21 January 2025, both in New Delhi. The BIMSTEC Expert Group on Cyber Security works on an Action Plan for coordination among members.

Important Facts for Exams

• Full form: Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation.
• Members: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand (7).
• Established: 1997 (as BIST-EC).
• Youth programme: BIMSTEC Youth Leadership Exchange (25–30 April), 70+ leaders.

BIMSTEC Snapshot

Static GK on BIMSTEC

BIMSTEC links South Asia and South-East Asia across the Bay of Bengal. Exam hint: It has 7 members; the Secretariat is in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Practice Questions

Q1. The 5th BIMSTEC NSA Meeting will be hosted by:
A) Bangladesh
B) India
C) Thailand
D) Nepal
Answer: B

Q2. How many member states does BIMSTEC have?
A) 5
B) 6
C) 7
D) 8
Answer: C

Q3. BIMSTEC was established in:
A) 1985
B) 1997
C) 2004
D) 2014
Answer: B

Q4. Which country is the current BIMSTEC chair?
A) India
B) Sri Lanka
C) Bangladesh
D) Myanmar
Answer: C

Q5. Which is NOT a BIMSTEC member?
A) Bhutan
B) Pakistan
C) Nepal
D) Thailand
Answer: B

Q6. Consider the statements:
1. BIMSTEC connects Bay of Bengal littoral countries.
2. It was earlier called BIST-EC.
3. The 5th NSA Meeting is on 16 July 2026 in New Delhi.
Which are correct?
A) 1 and 2
B) 2 and 3
C) 1 and 3
D) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: D

UPSC / RPSC Relevance

• UPSC Prelims: BIMSTEC members, establishment year, Secretariat.
• UPSC Mains – GS Paper II: India's neighbourhood and regional groupings.
• RPSC / SSC: International organisations current affairs.

Mains Descriptive Question

GS Paper II: "BIMSTEC offers India a platform to deepen security cooperation across the Bay of Bengal." Discuss. (250 words · 15 marks)