The Bhutan National Assembly on Wednesday adopted the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Convention on cooperation in combating international terrorism, trans-national organized crime and illicit drug trafficking.
The foreign minister said the convention is crucial in countering terrorism in seven BIMSTEC member countries and has been ratified by all except Bhutan, according to reports.
If Bhutan ratifies the convention, the country along with the other member states is agreeing to cooperate in fighting terrorism, transnational organized crime and illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
The member states will be sharing information on the activities of individuals and criminal groups engaged in planning, promoting or executing acts of international terrorism, transnational organized crimes and illicit drug trafficking.
The member countries also agree to share information on the associates of the criminals including those providing front or cover to such individuals or groups as well as those which may operate from or use the territory of a member state for this purpose.
Some members of the house raised concerns over the extradition of criminals within the member states.
The Foreign Minister said the government does not see any probable issues in signing extradition agreement with other five member states if it is required.
BIMSTEC Summit declaration in New Delhi in 2004 witnessed member states vowing to not allow their territory to be used by terrorist groups for launching attacks against friendly governments.
The members finalized the BIMSTEC Convention on combating international terrorism, transnational organized crime and illicit drug trafficking during the 2008 BIMSTEC Summit.