The third ‘No Money for Terror’ (NMFT) Ministerial Conference on Counter-Terrorism Financing was recently held in New Delhi, India. The Indian Prime Minister stressed the urgency of clear and unambiguous actions in combating terrorism and highlighted the misuse of this global menace by some nations to advance their foreign policy.
No Money for Terror Conference: An Overview
Launched in 2018 by the French government, the “No Money for Terror” conference aims at strengthening international cooperation to strangle the financial lifeline of terrorism. Postponed last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, this annual congregation made a comeback in 2022 with the participation of delegates from 72 countries and 15 international organisations. It provided a unique platform where recent trends in terrorism, terrorist financing through formal and informal channels, emerging technologies facilitating terrorist financing, and international cooperation to confront these challenges were hotly debated.
India’s Stand at NMFT Conference 2022
During the conference, India urged for a vigilant international response to the threats arising from regime changes in Afghanistan, which had earlier triggered the 9/11 attacks. Furthermore, India underlined the necessity to eliminate terrorists’ safe havens and cut off their resources. The country also expressed apprehensions about the sophisticated use of modern weaponry and information technology including Dark Net and Cryptocurrency by terrorists.
India advocated for imposing costs on countries that provide political, ideological, and financial backing to terrorism. Stress was also laid on the need to isolate organizations and individuals sympathetic to terrorists. Moreover, India voiced concerns over the interconnectedness of organised crime and terrorism, emphasising that income from illicit activities like gun-running, narcotics, and smuggling often fuelled terrorist activities.
National and Global Initiatives to Counter Terrorism
At the national level, the National Investigation Agency was established in the aftermath of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Act serves as India’s primary anti-terrorism law. The National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID) is another important national tool for gathering security-related information. On the global front, entities like United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), Terrorism Prevention Branch (TPB) of United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and Financial Action Task Force (FATF) are vital components of the fight against terrorism.
UPSC Civil Services Examination Perspective
In view of the complexity and intensity of terrorism, it’s crucial to understand its causes, links, and dangerous nexus. Also, discussions around measures required to eradicate this menace become pertinent. As an example, the banning of ‘Jamaat-e-islaami’ in Jammu and Kashmir highlighted the role of over-ground workers (OGWs) in assisting terrorist organizations. This underscores the need for formulating strategies to neutralise the influence of OGWs. Moreover, the rising cross-border terrorist attacks in India and Pakistan’s interference in the internal affairs of member-states have far-reaching implications for the future of regional cooperation through platforms like SAARC.