Bangladesh Calls for Collective Response to Combat Misinformation Challenges

Bangladesh today called for intensified regional cooperation among Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) member states to address growing threats in cybersecurity and combat the spread of misinformation and disinformation across the region.

“We need to articulate and implement our collective actions in facing up to the challenges of cyber security, misinformation and disinformation, and I look forward to CSC’s actions in this regard,” said Bangladesh’s National Security Adviser Dr. Khalilur Rahman during the seventh meeting of National Security Advisers held in New Delhi.

The high-level security forum brought together representatives from CSC member states, which include Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Seychelles, and the Maldives. The regional security grouping has gained prominence in recent years as countries in the Indian Ocean region face increasingly complex security challenges.

Dr. Rahman thanked Indian National Security Adviser Ajit Doval for hosting the gathering and reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to the core principles enshrined in the CSC Charter, including sovereignty, equality, territorial integrity, and non-interference in domestic affairs of member states.

In his country statement, the Bangladeshi security chief emphasized the importance of the five pillars identified by the Conclave as crucial for strengthening “collective security, regional stability and shared prosperity for all members of the region.” These pillars include maritime safety and security, countering terrorism and radicalization, trafficking and transnational organized crime, cybersecurity, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

Bangladesh has taken a firm stance against extremism and terrorism, with Dr. Rahman noting that the country “has consistently condemned global terrorism” and maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward all forms of terrorist activities. This position aligns with Bangladesh’s broader counterterrorism efforts, which have intensified following several high-profile attacks in the past decade.

The rapid digitalization of economies across South Asia has created new vulnerabilities, according to Dr. Rahman, who warned that cybercrime has emerged as a major regional concern. “Cyber security is thus a high priority in Bangladesh,” he stated, adding that the country faces a “constant barrage of misinformation and disinformation” that threatens social cohesion and political stability.

Security analysts note that Bangladesh, like many developing nations, is particularly vulnerable to cyber threats due to its expanding digital infrastructure, growing internet penetration, and the relative newness of its cybersecurity frameworks. The country has recently stepped up efforts to protect critical infrastructure and government networks from external threats.

Dr. Rahman stressed that national efforts alone would not be sufficient to address these challenges, echoing sentiments expressed by other regional security chiefs. He called on CSC members to strengthen mutual trust and respect while pursuing shared interests as part of wider regional security cooperation.

The meeting comes at a time when geopolitical tensions in the Indo-Pacific region have heightened concerns about maritime security and regional stability. The CSC has emerged as an important forum for coordinating responses to non-traditional security threats that transcend national boundaries.

During the meeting, Dr. Rahman expressed Bangladesh’s vision for the Conclave to evolve into “an open, inclusive regional multilateral organization, driven by a vision of open regionalism” that can effectively address common challenges.

On the sidelines of the forum, Dr. Rahman held bilateral talks with Indian National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, where they discussed the work of the CSC and key bilateral issues between the neighboring countries. Dr. Rahman extended an invitation to Doval to visit Bangladesh at his convenience, according to a statement from the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi.

The CSC, formerly known as the Colombo Security Conclave Trilateral, was established in 2011 as a trilateral security arrangement among India, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives. It has since expanded to include Mauritius as a member and Bangladesh and Seychelles as observer states.