Recently, the Global Counter Terrorism Council (GCTC) organized the International Counter Terrorism Conference 2022. The GCTC is an International Think-Tank Council aimed at reducing the vulnerability of people to terrorism worldwide. To this end, the Council seeks to prevent, combat, and prosecute terrorist acts, as well as counter incitement and recruitment to terrorism. Prior to this, the BRICS countries adopted a counter-terrorism action plan during the 13th BRICS Summit held in 2021.
Issues Raised by India
One key point raised by India was the emergence of new “religiophobia”, particularly against Hindus, Buddhists, and Sikhs. India argues that this phenomenon should be recognized and addressed similarly to Christianophobia, Islamophobia, and anti-Semitism.
Moreover, India flagged the worrying trend by some Member States of categorizing terrorism into racially and ethnically motivated violent extremism, violent nationalism, right-wing extremism, etc. India contends that such labeling contravenes the principles agreed upon in the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, highlighting that all forms of terrorism should be condemned without justification.
India’s Commitment to Countering Terrorism
To counter terrorism, India has been part of various initiatives on global platforms. India’s annual resolution on counter-terrorism has been agreed upon by a consensus in the First Committee of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). As a victim of state-sponsored cross-border terrorism, India has highlighted the serious threat to international peace and security emanating from terrorist groups acquiring weapons of mass destruction.
In 1996, India proposed to the UNGA the adoption of the “Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism” (CCIT) to provide a legal framework to counter terrorism. The CCIT urged for a universal definition of terrorism, and for making cross-border terrorism an extraditable offence worldwide.
Furthermore, India is a member of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), which is aimed at combating money laundering, terrorist financing, and other threats to the integrity of the international financial system.
Terrorism Situation in India
India’s primary anti-terrorism law is the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Act. Other bodies like the National Security Guard (NSG) are responsible for counterterrorism and anti-hijacking operations. India faces terrorism threats from secessionists in Kashmir, the northeast, and to some extent, Punjab. Left-wing extremist groups also pose threats in central, east-central, and south-central India. Consequently, India is one of the most terrorism-affected countries globally.
The Way Forward
The war against terrorism is often a low-intensity conflict or localized war that requires full societal support. Failing to maintain society’s morale and resolve can lead to losing the fight against terrorism. For India, reassessing policies on several issues, such as intelligence apparatus, internal security, and border management, is imperative. Technical solutions are essential to augment and complement traditional methods of border guarding.
