Guwahati, September 13, 2026 — Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday welcomed the formal recognition of the Guwahati Declaration in the BRICS New Delhi Declaration, calling it a significant step that strengthens international cooperation against narcotics trafficking and holds particular importance for Assam given its strategic location along a critical drug corridor.
In a post on X, Sarma noted that the New Delhi Declaration, adopted by BRICS leaders at the 18th Summit held in the national capital under India’s chairmanship, has acknowledged the Guwahati Declaration as an important instrument for enhancing operational and technical cooperation among the anti-drug agencies of member countries. He described the development as a matter of pride for the state and a validation of India’s leadership in shaping global responses to transnational organised crime.
The Guwahati Declaration was adopted on July 7, 2026, at the conclusion of the two-day BRICS Heads of Anti-Drug Agencies Meeting hosted in Guwahati under India’s 2026 BRICS Chairship, themed “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.” The high-level gathering brought together heads of anti-narcotics agencies and senior officials from Brazil, China, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia and the United Arab Emirates.
The declaration reaffirmed the collective commitment of BRICS nations to combat illicit drug trafficking and related transnational organised crime. It underscored the urgent need for timely exchange of information, intelligence and best practices, consistent with national laws and international obligations. Member countries also committed to promoting innovative technologies, digital tools and data-driven approaches to strengthen law enforcement and regulatory efforts.
Delegates expressed deep concern over the evolving nature of the global drug trade. Key challenges highlighted included the proliferation of synthetic drugs and New Psychoactive Substances (NPS), the diversion of precursor chemicals, the misuse of emerging technologies and virtual assets, and the exploitation of maritime routes and digital platforms by sophisticated criminal networks. India, represented by Narcotics Control Bureau Director General Anurag Garg, had pressed for a partnership based on speed, mutual trust and seamless real-time intelligence sharing that could enable decisive cross-border action against transnational syndicates.
Sarma emphasised that the recognition of the Guwahati document in the broader New Delhi Declaration is especially relevant for Assam. The state, he pointed out, lies on a critical narcotics corridor linking the Golden Triangle region with mainland India and beyond. Strengthened cooperation among BRICS anti-drug agencies, he said, would help enhance surveillance, intelligence sharing and interdiction efforts in the Northeast, which has long grappled with the spillover effects of cross-border trafficking.
Beyond the narcotics dimension, the Chief Minister praised the wider content of the New Delhi Declaration. He said the document reflected a broad consensus on issues ranging from multilateral reform and counter-terrorism to new-age technology, agriculture and animal conservation. Sarma described the outcome as an example of pragmatic, inclusive and forward-looking Indian leadership that amplified the voice of the Global South in an evolving international order. He congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the entire Indian team for what he termed a landmark achievement under India’s BRICS Chairship.
The formal inclusion of the Guwahati Declaration in the summit outcome document elevates a state-level initiative into the global multilateral framework. Officials familiar with the process note that the recognition is expected to facilitate deeper operational linkages, joint capacity-building programmes and technology-enabled cooperation among BRICS anti-drug agencies in the months ahead.
For Assam, the development carries both symbolic and practical significance. Hosting the July meeting placed Guwahati on the map of international security diplomacy. The subsequent endorsement by BRICS leaders at the highest political level reinforces the state’s role in India’s broader strategy against narcotics while potentially opening avenues for enhanced technical assistance, training and intelligence support focused on the unique challenges of the Northeast.
As the New Delhi Declaration begins to shape the BRICS agenda for the coming years, the Guwahati Declaration stands as a concrete example of how local platforms can feed into global consensus-building — particularly on issues that directly affect border states such as Assam.