India will host the BRICS Heads of Anti-Drug Agencies Meeting in Guwahati, Assam, on July 6 and 7, bringing together the heads of anti-narcotics agencies and senior officials from BRICS member countries to strengthen international collaboration in combating drug trafficking and substance abuse.
The two-day meeting, organised by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) under the Ministry of Home Affairs, is aimed at reinforcing institutional cooperation, improving intelligence sharing, enhancing operational coordination and building capacity among BRICS nations to address evolving drug-related threats.
The deliberations will centre on three priority areas: tackling synthetic drugs and the diversion of precursor chemicals, strengthening intelligence exchange and operational coordination, and promoting institutional cooperation through capacity-building initiatives.
The meeting assumes significance at a time when transnational drug trafficking networks are increasingly exploiting synthetic drugs, New Psychoactive Substances (NPS), darknet platforms and cryptocurrency-based financial transactions, creating complex global challenges for law enforcement agencies.
India will present its multi-pronged strategy to combat narcotics, highlighting a framework that combines strict enforcement, public awareness, community participation and rehabilitation. The country will also showcase its recently launched Vision Document on Narcotics Control (2026–2029) as part of its efforts to strengthen institutional capabilities in addressing the drug menace.
Delegates will take part in six thematic sessions covering the use of digital technology for real-time drug interdiction, combating darknet-enabled trafficking, addressing emerging psychoactive substances, preventing the diversion of precursor chemicals, reducing drug demand and strengthening institutional mechanisms.
As the BRICS Chair for 2026, India will seek to promote deeper cooperation through intelligence sharing, joint training programmes, expert exchanges and coordinated action against transnational drug trafficking networks. The meeting is scheduled to conclude with the adoption of a Joint Declaration.
India’s BRICS Chairmanship this year is being guided by the theme, “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.” The BRICS grouping comprises Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates.
