The National Security Council Secretariat, Government of India, convened the Second Meeting of the BIMSTEC Expert Group on Cybersecurity Cooperation on January 21, 2025, in New Delhi. India had also hosted the inaugural BIMSTEC Expert Group Meeting on Cybersecurity in 2022, also held in New Delhi.
The primary goal of the BIMSTEC Expert Group meeting is to develop an Action Plan aimed at enhancing coordination and collaboration among BIMSTEC Member States to strengthen cybersecurity in the use of ICTs. The Action Plan will outline mechanisms for sharing cyber-related information, addressing cybercrime, safeguarding critical information
During the second meeting, notable discussions focused on establishing a BIMSTEC CERT-to-CERT cooperation mechanism, developing a Cybercrime Cooperation Framework among law enforcement agencies, and implementing capacity-building programs on cybersecurity within the region. Among the various presentations, India highlighted its initiative under the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) titled “Cyber Hygiene for School Children.”
The meeting concluded that implementing the Action Plan would mark a significant advancement in enhancing cybersecurity cooperation within BIMSTEC. These measures will enable BIMSTEC nations to collaborate effectively in building a more secure and resilient cyberspace across the region.
