The BRICS nations have adopted the Guwahati Declaration, reaffirming their commitment to strengthen cooperation to prevent and combat illicit drug trafficking and related transnational organized crime. The declaration was adopted at the conclusion of the two-day BRICS Heads of Anti-Drug Agencies Meeting held in Guwahati, Assam, on Tuesday.
Key Commitments in the Declaration
The Joint Declaration underscores the need to enhance the timely exchange of information, intelligence, and best practices, consistent with national laws and international obligations. It also emphasizes the promotion of innovative technologies, digital tools, and data-driven approaches to strengthen law enforcement and regulatory efforts against illicit drug trafficking.
Concerns Over Evolving Threats
The BRICS countries expressed concern over the evolving nature of illicit drug trafficking, including the proliferation of synthetic drugs and New Psychoactive Substances (NPS), the diversion of precursor chemicals, the misuse of emerging technologies and virtual assets, and the exploitation of maritime routes and digital platforms by transnational criminal networks.
The member countries underlined the need to strengthen specialized initiatives for drug demand reduction, promote healthy lifestyles, and safeguard those in vulnerable situations, particularly children and youth, through evidence-based, comprehensive, and people-centred approaches.
India's Call for Real-Time Intelligence Sharing
During the high-level meeting, India called upon BRICS drug law enforcement agencies to build a partnership founded on speed, mutual trust, and seamless real-time intelligence sharing that transcends borders and enables decisive action against transnational drug syndicates.
Leading the Indian delegation, Director General of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Anurag Garg, highlighted that under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, India has adopted a Zero-Tolerance Policy against Drugs and a Three-Year Roadmap (2026-2029) based on a Network-Centric approach. The strategy focuses on dismantling entire criminal networks, preventing drug abuse through mass awareness campaigns, and strengthening treatment, de-addiction, and rehabilitation measures.
Proposal for BRICS Virtual Working Group
In his closing remarks, Garg observed that national anti-drug agencies must create a network to break transnational drug trafficking networks, given the hyper-connected and jurisdiction-less nature of 21st-century drug trafficking. He called upon the BRICS nations to carry forward the spirit of the Guwahati Declaration and work collectively towards a drug-free world and a safer, healthier global community.
Garg highlighted India's proposal to set up a BRICS Virtual Working Group and enhance cross-border training initiatives.
Thematic Sessions and Discussions
During the two-day meeting, member nations deliberated on the prevailing drug situation in their respective countries and participated in thematic sessions focusing on pressing and emerging global challenges. Discussions covered key issues including leveraging digital technology for real-time drug interdiction, countering drug trafficking through the darknet, tackling the growing threat of New Psychoactive Substances (NPS), and reinforcing global supply chains against precursor diversion and chemical leakage.
India's BRICS Chairmanship 2026
India's BRICS Chairmanship in 2026 is guided by the overarching theme, 'Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.' The meeting brought together Brazil, China, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, and the United Arab Emirates in the meeting of BRICS Heads of Anti-Drug Agencies in Guwahati.
