Introduction:
According to the annual report by US bureau on counterterrorism Indian government made significant efforts in 2021 to detect, disrupt, and degrade operations of terrorist organizations. The report also suggested a shift in terrorists’ tactics in their attacks against civilians and greater reliance on IEDs. India has emerged as a significant player at global level in efforts to formulate strategy against terrorism. Last year in October India hosted two global events – the Interpol Annual General Meeting and a special session of UN Anti-Terrorism Committee in Mumbai and Delhi. India is also a member of FATF, the Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering, and the Eurasian Group. India’s Financial Intelligence Unit is part of the Egmont Group.
Counter-terror diplomacy:
- Terrorism looms large over the world today. Amorphous terror groups, newer cyber linked terrorism, increasing lone wolf attacks are all adding to the ominous threats of violence.
- The Special Meeting of the UNSC-CTC was hosted by India in Mumbai and Delhi, focussing on new and emerging technologies .
- New Delhi hosted the third edition of the No Money for Terror (NMFT) conference for tackling future modes of terror financing.
- India chaired a special briefing on the Global Counter-Terrorism Architecture, looking at the challenges ahead.
- However, it is critical to evaluate some of the current challenges, particularly when the world is dealing with the war in Europe, COVID-19 and the global recession.
- India has borne the brunt of terrorism and has witnessed serious loss of life and property in senseless violent explosions in large cities in the past few decades
- We have to fight the war against terrorism and terrorist groups, in every geographical space, in every virtual space
- Money is transferred to terror organization via Pakistan army.
- Pakistan’s active participation has caused thousands of deaths in the region; all these years Pakistan has been supportive to several terrorist groups despite several stern warnings from the international community
- The government of Pakistan has been accused of aiding terrorist organisations operating on their soil who have attacked neighbouring India.
- Pakistan denies all allegations, stating that these acts are committed by non-state actors
- Former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has admitted that Pakistan supported and trained terrorist groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) in 1990s to carry out militancy in Kashmir From 1979 Pakistan was in favour of religious militancy
- Many organizations change names and set up other organization to frame that Pakistan is looking into it.
The importance of combating terrorist financing:
· Some countries, their governments and agencies have made ‘Terrorism’ their State Policy; in these terror havens, it is necessary to shackle their unrestrained activities along with a strict economic crackdown and all the countries of the world will have to make up their minds on this, rising above their geo-political interests
· The strategy of “Trace, Target, and Terminate” to be adopted from low-level economic offenses to more organized economic crimes
- Disrupting and preventing these terrorism-related financial flows and transactions is one of the most effective ways to fight terrorism.
- Not only can it prevent future attacks by disrupting their material support, the footprints of their purchases, withdrawals and other financial transactions can provide valuable information for ongoing investigations.
- Countering terrorism financing is therefore an essential part of the global fight against terror threat.
- As terrorists and terrorist groups continue to raise money with use of various means, countries must make it a priority to understand the risks they face from terrorist financing and develop policy responses to all aspects of it
Conclusion:
- India must set the global narrative of not only fighting the “last war” on terrorism but also preparing for the next.
- India can now work with multilateral funder institutions to work outvhow Pakistan is channeling money to terrorism.
- India’s support and stand at international forums has been increasing as a continuous process in its fights against terrorism. It shall continue to take a stand firm to control the menace.
- Establish a comprehensive monitoring framework involving cooperation, coordination, and collaboration among all intelligence and investigative agencies.
- The world community must address contradictions in the War on Terror. For 20 years, the world has failed to agree on a common definition of terrorism at the United Nations.
- Unless the world is truly united on the issue and resolves such contradictions, the global War on Terror will only be as strong as its weakest link.
- The success or failure of each of these approaches must be studied before deciding their applicability elsewhere.
