BRICS adopts Guwahati Declaration to strengthen anti-drug cooperation

Guwahati,UPDATED: Jul 7, 2026 18:45 IST

Heads of anti-drug agencies from BRICS countries on Tuesday adopted the 'Guwahati Declaration' at the end of a two-day meeting, reaffirming their commitment to strengthen cooperation against narcotics trafficking and related transnational organised crimes. A statement said the declaration called for the timely exchange of information, intelligence and best practices among member countries, in line with national laws and international obligations.

The declaration also stressed the use of innovative technologies, digital tools and data-driven approaches to strengthen law enforcement and regulatory efforts against drug trafficking.

The BRICS countries expressed concern over the changing nature of drug trafficking, including the spread of synthetic drugs and New Psychoactive Substances (NPS), the diversion of precursor chemicals, the misuse of emerging technologies and virtual assets, and the use of maritime routes and digital platforms by transnational criminal networks.

The statement said, "The member countries underlined the need to strengthen specialised 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."

During the high-level closed-door meeting, India called on BRICS drug law enforcement agencies to build a partnership based on speed, mutual trust and seamless real-time intelligence sharing across borders to enable decisive action against transnational drug syndicates.

Leading the Indian delegation, Narcotics Control Bureau Director General Anurag Garg said India has adopted a 'zero-tolerance policy' against drugs and a three-year roadmap for 2026-2029 based on a network-centric approach.

The release said, "The strategy focuses on dismantling entire criminal networks, preventing drug abuse through mass awareness campaigns and strengthening treatment, de-addiction and rehabilitation measures."

In his closing remarks, Garg said drug trafficking in the 21st century is hyper-connected and without jurisdictional limits, and observed that national anti-drug agencies must build networks to break these transnational trafficking networks.

He also called on BRICS nations to carry forward the spirit of the 'Guwahati Declaration' and work collectively towards the shared objective of a drug-free world and a safer, healthier global community for future generations. The NCB chief also highlighted India's proposal to set up a BRICS Virtual Working Group and to increase cross-border training initiatives.

During the two-day meeting, member nations discussed the drug situation in their respective countries and took part in thematic sessions on pressing and emerging global challenges.

The discussions covered the use of digital technology for real-time drug interdiction, efforts to counter drug trafficking through the darknet, the growing threat of NPS, and steps to reinforce global supply chains against precursor diversion and chemical leakage.

India's BRICS Chairship in 2026 is guided by the theme, 'Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability'. The meeting of BRICS Heads of Anti-Drug Agencies in Guwahati brought together Brazil, China, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia and the UAE.

BRICS, which originally comprised Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, expanded in 2024 to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, with Indonesia joining in 2025.

In addition to the 11 member nations, 10 partner countries joined BRICS in 2025 – Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.

The meeting ended with the adoption of the 'Guwahati Declaration', which combined calls for stronger information-sharing, wider use of technology and coordinated action against organised drug networks, while also stressing demand reduction, public awareness and rehabilitation measures.

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