BRICS countries adopted the Guwahati Declaration during the BRICS Heads of Anti-Drug Agencies Meeting 2026 held in Guwahati.

More About the News

• The BRICS nations have adopted the Guwahati Declaration, reaffirming their commitment to strengthen international cooperation against illicit drug trafficking and transnational organised crime. 
• The declaration was adopted during the BRICS Heads of Anti-Drug Agencies Meeting held under India’s BRICS Chairmanship 2026. 
• The theme was “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.”

Key Highlights

• BRICS is an intergovernmental grouping comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
• The declaration seeks to strengthen real-time intelligence sharing, exchange of best practices and operational cooperation among member countries.
• It calls for the use of digital technologies, Artificial Intelligence and data-driven tools to improve law enforcement against drug trafficking.
• Member countries expressed concern over the rapid rise of synthetic drugs, New Psychoactive Substances (NPS), diversion of precursor chemicals, misuse of cryptocurrencies, darknet platforms, and maritime trafficking routes.
• The declaration emphasises drug demand reduction, awareness campaigns, treatment, de-addiction and rehabilitation, with special focus on children and youth.

India’s Approach

• India follows a Zero-Tolerance Policy against Drugs under the vision of “Nasha Mukt Bharat”.
• The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has adopted a 2026-2029 Network-Centric Anti-Drug Strategy, focusing on dismantling entire criminal networks rather than targeting individual traffickers.
• India proposed establishing a BRICS Virtual Working Group and expanding cross-border training programmes for anti-drug agencies.

Related Frameworks

• Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985
• Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) under the Ministry of Home Affairs
• United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, 1988
• Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan

Why is it Important?

• Drug trafficking has become increasingly technology-driven, making international cooperation essential.
• The declaration strengthens India’s leadership role in combating organised crime and securing regional and global supply chains against narcotics.

Exam Hook – Prelims

1. The term “New Psychoactive Substances (NPS)”, frequently seen in the news, refers to:

One-line Wrap: The Guwahati Declaration marks a significant step towards technology-enabled, intelligence-driven and coordinated global action against emerging drug trafficking challenges.