Guwahati, 07 July (HS): The BRICS nations on Tuesday adopted the Guwahati Declaration, reaffirming their collective commitment to strengthen international cooperation against illicit drug trafficking and related transnational organised crime at the conclusion of the two-day BRICS Heads of Anti-Drug Agencies Meeting in Guwahati.
The joint declaration called for enhanced exchange of intelligence, information and best practices, while promoting the use of innovative technologies, digital tools and data-driven approaches to strengthen law enforcement efforts against global drug networks.
The participating countries expressed concern over the growing menace of synthetic drugs, New Psychoactive Substances (NPS), diversion of precursor chemicals, misuse of emerging technologies and virtual assets and the increasing exploitation of maritime routes and digital platforms by transnational criminal organisations. The declaration also stressed the importance of demand reduction initiatives, public awareness and evidence-based measures to protect vulnerable groups, particularly children and youth.
Leading the Indian delegation, Director General of the Narcotics Control Bureau, Anurag Garg, urged BRICS anti-drug agencies to build a partnership based on speed, mutual trust and seamless real-time intelligence sharing to effectively dismantle transnational drug syndicates. He highlighted India's Zero-Tolerance Policy against drugs and the 2026–2029 Network-Centric Roadmap aimed at dismantling criminal networks, preventing drug abuse and strengthening treatment and rehabilitation.
In his concluding remarks, Garg proposed the creation of a BRICS Virtual Working Group and expanded cross-border training initiatives, stating that stronger international collaboration is essential to combat modern drug trafficking networks.
Held under India's 2026 BRICS Chairship theme, Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability, the meeting brought together representatives from Brazil, China, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia and the United Arab Emirates to discuss emerging global challenges in drug enforcement, including darknet trafficking, precursor chemical diversion and the use of digital technologies for real-time interdiction.----------
Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash
