UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasised the absolute “unjustifiability” of terrorism and called for a serious international effort to combat it. Terrorism has become a global problem, and India has specific concerns in this regard. The international community must prioritise counterterrorism efforts. The fact is that India has endured waves of terrorism for nearly four decades. The footprints of terrorism have been felt throughout India, with incidents targeting religious and ethnic groups, even including heinous acts against toddlers. Pakistan has been consistently linked to these terrorist organisations, providing support in terms of incitement, recruitment, shelter, training, financing, and safe routes for infiltrating India.
For two decades, India bore the brunt of terrorism, but the global perspective shifted after the events of 9/11 when the world recognised terrorism as a worldwide threat. However, despite the clear links to Pakistan, the country has managed to evade stringent action, even at the United Nations. India has consistently advocated for collective action against terrorism, emphasising that there is no such thing as “good” or “bad” terrorism and countermeasures must be taken collectively. Unfortunately, global politics has often impeded meaningful action, leading to Pakistan being placed on the FATF (Financial Action Task Force) grey list for only a limited period before eventually being removed. Terrorism emanating from Pakistan continues to pose a significant threat to India. Despite facing economic challenges, Pakistan remains a major exporter of terrorism to the world, particularly with a focus on India. Past terrorist attacks on high-profile targets like the Indian Parliament and military installations have brought the two nations to the brink of conflict. India has consistently responded to these terrorist provocations with a resolute and decisive approach, eliminating terrorists and, in some instances, conducting surgical airstrikes across the border. India is a peace-loving nation with a history of not initiating hostilities against its neighbours. However, whenever its sovereignty is challenged or its security threatened by acts of terrorism, India has responded firmly and effectively to safeguard its interests and protect its citizens.
India has also faced challenges in pushing for the designation of certain individuals and entities as international terrorists in the UN Security Council, with China frequently blocking these efforts. The international community must collectively penalise nations that sponsor terrorism, as inconsistent policies and half-measures are ineffective against terrorist organizations. India has been actively seeking global unity in the fight against terrorism, and the acknowledgement of its concerns by the UN Secretary-General is a positive step.
Expanding the Security Council and implementing necessary reforms are crucial in the current global context. It is high time for member countries to take a firm stance against terrorism and hold nations that sponsor terrorism accountable. The United Nations should play a pivotal role in implementing these measures to address this global threat effectively.
For the UN to remain relevant and effective in addressing global security challenges, it must evolve and adapt to the changing nature of threats, including terrorism. Passing resolutions alone is insufficient; concrete action and implementation are essential. The UN should play a proactive role in facilitating international cooperation, intelligence sharing, and the use of technology to combat terrorism effectively and ensure that its resolutions are followed through on the ground.
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