BRICS nations adopt Guwahati Declaration to combat drug trafficking

GUWAHATI

The BRICS nations on Tuesday (July 7, 2026) adopted the Guwahati Declaration, reaffirming their commitment to strengthen cooperation to prevent and combat illicit drug trafficking and related organised transnational crime.

BRICS, an intergovernmental organisation of major emerging markets and developing countries, is an acronym for Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. It expanded to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Indonesia.

The joint declaration by the heads of anti-drug agencies of the participating nations brought the curtains down on a two-day meeting at a resort on the outskirts of Guwahati.

The BRICS nations underscored the need to enhance the timely exchange of information, intelligence and best practices, consistent with national laws and international obligations. The declaration emphasised the promotion of innovative technologies, digital tools, and data-driven approaches to strengthen law enforcement and regulatory efforts against drug trafficking.

The BRICS countries also expressed concern over the evolving nature of drug trafficking, the proliferation of synthetic drugs and new psychoactive substances, the diversion of precursor chemicals, the misuse of emerging technologies and virtual assets, and the exploitation of maritime routes and digital platforms by transnational criminal networks.

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 meeting, India called upon BRICS drug law enforcement agencies to build a partnership founded on speed, mutual trust, and seamless real-time intelligence sharing that transcends borders and enables decisive action against transnational drug syndicates.

Anti-drug roadmap

Anurag Garg, Director General of the Narcotics Control Bureau, said India has adopted a zero-tolerance policy against drugs, and a three-year roadmap (2026-29) based on a network-centric approach. “The strategy focuses on dismantling entire criminal networks, preventing drug abuse through mass awareness campaigns, and strengthening treatment, de-addiction, and rehabilitation measures,” Mr. Garg said.

Highlighting the hyper-connected and jurisdiction-less nature of 21st century drug trafficking, Mr. Garg said that national anti-drug agencies have to create a network to break the transnational drug trafficking networks. He called upon the 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 generations to come. He also proposed a BRICS Virtual Workshop Group, and enhanced cross-border training initiatives.