Guwahati: The BRICS nations have adopted the Guwahati Declaration, reaffirming their commitment to intensify cooperation against illicit drug trafficking, synthetic narcotics, and transnational organised crime. The declaration was adopted at the conclusion of the two-day BRICS Heads of Anti-Drug Agencies Meeting hosted in Guwahati, Assam, under India’s 2026 BRICS Chairship.
The declaration calls for timely intelligence sharing, exchange of best practices, and closer operational coordination among BRICS member countries to dismantle cross-border drug trafficking networks. It also emphasizes cooperation in accordance with each country’s national laws and international obligations.
A major focus of the agreement is the growing threat posed by synthetic drugs, which have emerged as one of the fastest-expanding challenges for law enforcement agencies worldwide. The member nations agreed to strengthen the use of technology-driven investigations, improve forensic capabilities, and enhance coordination to detect and disrupt organised criminal networks involved in narcotics production and distribution.
The declaration also highlights the importance of tackling the financial networks that support drug trafficking through stronger cooperation on financial investigations, asset tracing, and action against money laundering linked to narcotics-related crimes. Member countries pledged to improve information exchange and capacity building among enforcement agencies to address evolving criminal methods.
Hosted by India’s Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), the meeting brought together heads of anti-drug agencies from BRICS countries to discuss emerging challenges, particularly the increasing use of digital technologies, encrypted communications, and maritime routes by international drug syndicates. Officials stressed that no country can effectively combat the global narcotics trade without sustained international cooperation.
India’s BRICS Chairship has identified countering transnational organised crime and enhancing security cooperation as key priorities. The adoption of the Guwahati Declaration reflects the bloc’s resolve to build a coordinated framework for preventing drug trafficking while promoting public health, regional security and sustainable development.
The Guwahati Declaration is expected to serve as a roadmap for deeper collaboration among BRICS nations through regular consultations, joint training programmes, intelligence-sharing mechanisms and coordinated enforcement operations aimed at curbing the global drug menace.
