Home Minister Sudan Gurung has suggested creating a joint disaster management task force within the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) to enhance regional cooperation amid rising climate related disasters.
During the first BIMSTEC home ministers’ meeting in New Delhi, Gurung highlighted the importance of a task force capable of addressing disasters in various environments, including mountains and coastal areas.
He referenced recent floods in Nepal’s Bhotekoshi, Manang Mustang, and Budhi Gandaki regions as examples that demonstrate the need for regional collaboration.
Gurung also called for a framework to improve disaster preparedness and emergency responses, emphasizing that coordinated actions among BIMSTEC member states will lead to more effective responses to climate-related emergencies.
Nepal Advocates for Improved Regional Disaster Preparedness
Nepal’s proposal aims for a more unified approach to disaster management among the seven member states: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
A joint task force could enhance regional coordination during emergencies, while a regional preparedness framework would facilitate the sharing of knowledge, technology, and best practices.
Gurung’s proposal comes as Nepal deals with floods and natural hazards in its mountainous and river basin regions. Recent events highlight the urgent need for regional cooperation in disaster preparation and response.
The meeting also resulted in the Delhi Declaration, which commits member states to strengthen regional security cooperation.
Addressing Transnational Crime Issues
In addition to disaster management, Gurung addressed various security challenges in the BIMSTEC region, such as terrorism, drug trafficking, human trafficking, money laundering, illicit financial flows, and cybercrime.
He emphasized that member states must enhance information sharing, technology exchange, and coordination to tackle these threats effectively.
Gurung also stressed the importance of timely implementation of agreed policies and plans for crime control.
The meeting aimed to improve regional coordination on security, transnational crime, and disaster management. According to Nepal’s Ministry of Home Affairs, it was the first gathering of BIMSTEC home ministers since the organization’s establishment 29 years ago.
Gurung Discusses Trade Certification Issues with India
On the sidelines of the meeting, Gurung met with Indian Home Minister Amit Shah to discuss security and ways to strengthen collaboration between Nepal and India.
He raised concerns about challenges faced by Nepali industrialists and traders in accessing the Indian market, particularly regarding certification from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).
Nepal’s Ministry of Home Affairs reported that Shah was open to discussing these concerns.
The meeting provided a platform to address both regional security and the practical trade obstacles encountered by Nepali businesses in India.
Nepal Advocates for Practical Regional Cooperation
Gurung expressed appreciation to the Government of India, Shah, and the BIMSTEC Secretariat for the meeting.
The proposal for a joint disaster management task force emphasizes the need for operational arrangements to effectively respond to emergencies through regional cooperation.
For Nepal and its neighbors, successful disaster response relies on how well member states coordinate, share information, and support each other during crises.
Gurung’s proposal underscores Nepal’s call for a regional approach to risks that increasingly demand preparedness and coordination across borders.