Meeting of BRICS anti-drug agencies meeting begins in Guwahati

GUWAHATI

Representatives of member countries, who converged in Guwahati for the two-day BRICS Heads of Anti-Drug Agencies’ Meeting 2026, on Monday (July 6, 2026) emphasised the need for stronger international cooperation to combat drug trafficking.

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

These countries represent almost half the global population, and more than 40% of the world’s Gross Domestic Product.

Lucas Barbosa of Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs lauded India for hosting the event. “The BRICS anti-drug working group has a long history of cooperation, and we intend to strengthen collaboration in law enforcement and intelligence sharing further. Drug trafficking is a transnational threat that requires coordinated action by all member countries,” he told journalists on the sidelines of the meeting.

Anurag Garg, Director General of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), said the impact of drug abuse was a factor behind India hosting the heads of anti-drug agencies from the BRICS nations for the first time.

“Drugs have become an international scourge. Our youth is getting involved in drugs, and it is a problem that different nations have to fight together,” he said, adding that the delegates would focus on emerging challenges in narcotics enforcement, including darknet marketplaces, cryptocurrencies for illicit transactions, and maritime routes for drug trafficking.

The agenda of the meeting includes combating synthetic drugs and diversion of precursor chemicals, strengthening intelligence sharing and operational coordination, and enhancing capacity building and institutional cooperation among BRICS drug control agencies.