The story so far: The BRICS nations have adopted the Guwahati Declaration, reaffirming their commitment to coordinated efforts to prevent and combat illicit drug trafficking. The declaration was adopted at the conclusion of the two-day BRICS Heads of Anti-Drug Agencies meeting held in Assam’s Guwahati, under India’s BRICS chairmanship.
The declaration underscores the need to bolster the timely exchange of information and best practices, consistent with national laws and international obligations. It also stresses the promotion of innovative technologies, digital tools and data-driven approaches to intensify law enforcement and regulatory efforts against illicit drug trafficking.
What are the key pointers of the Guwahati Declaration?
The declaration called for closer cooperation among BRICS countries to address the evolving nature of illicit drug trafficking.
They expressed concern over the proliferation of synthetic drugs and New Psychoactive Substances (NPS), diversion of precursor chemicals, misuse of emerging technologies, virtual assets, and digital platforms, apart from the exploitation of maritime routes by transnational criminal syndicates.
The countries underlined the need to boost 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.
Why is the declaration significant?
The declaration comes at a time when India has intensified its campaign against drugs. On June 26, 2026, Union Home Minister Amit Shah released The Vision Document on Drug Control (2026-2029) at the 10th apex-level meeting of the Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD), organised by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB).
As announced by Mr. Shah, the roadmap has been prepared on the foundation of “detect, disrupt, and destroy”. It provides a time-bound national strategy to dismantle the narcotics ecosystem through a crackdown on trafficking, drug abuse, illicit finance, and organised criminal networks. It sets a target of identifying and busting 100 major inter-State and transnational cartels.
The policy aims to bring together more than 40 Ministries, Central agencies, State governments, district administrations, educational institutions, civil society organisations, and citizens under a common national framework against drugs.
It recommends the use of advanced surveillance systems, anti-drone technologies, AI-enabled profiling, container scanning, and enhanced inter-agency collaboration to increase interdiction capabilities across land, sea, and air trafficking routes. Focus will also be on rehabilitation of victims affected by drug abuse and trafficking.
What did India propose at the BRICS meeting?
India called upon BRICS drug law enforcement agencies to build a partnership founded on speed, mutual trust and seamless intelligence sharing that enables decisive action.
Leading the Indian delegation, Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Director-General Anurag Garg highlighted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mr. Shah, India has adopted a zero-tolerance approach against drug smuggling.
In his closing remarks, the NCB DG observed that 21st-century drug trafficking is hyper-connected and jurisdiction-less, requiring national anti-drug agencies to build capacity to disrupt transnational syndicates. He urged BRICS countries to carry forward the spirit of the Guwahati Declaration and work jointly towards the common objective of a drug-free world.
India also proposed the establishment of a BRICS Virtual Working Group and enhanced cross-border training initiatives.
What issues were discussed?
During the two-day meeting, member nations discussed the prevailing drug situation in their respective countries. They deliberated on leveraging digital technology for real-time drug interdiction, countering drug trafficking through the darknet, tackling the growing threat of NPS, and reinforcing global supply chains against precursor diversion and chemical leakage.
The Guwahati meeting brought together Brazil, China, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia and the United Arab Emirates.
What is the way forward?
The Guwahati Declaration reflects the shared recognition among BRICS countries that illicit drug trafficking has become increasingly transnational and technology-driven.
It provides a framework for sustained cooperation to tackle the evolving challenges. Going forward, they will need to advance real-time intelligence sharing, improve coordination among law enforcement agencies, and develop joint strategies.
The proposed BRICS Virtual Working Group and enhanced training initiatives could help create regular channels for information exchange, capacity building and collective action.
Published – July 08, 2026 10:25 am IST
