Sansad TV: India’s Efforts To Counter Terror | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Introduction

The US Bureau on Counterterrorism's annual report highlights India's efforts in detecting, disrupting, and degrading terrorist organizations in 2021. The report also notes a shift in tactics by terrorists towards attacking civilians and increased reliance on IEDs. India has emerged as a significant player in global efforts to combat terrorism and has hosted various international events, including the Interpol Annual General Meeting and a special session of the UN Anti-Terrorism Committee.

Counter-terror diplomacy

• Terrorism remains a significant threat globally, with amorphous terror groups, cyber-linked terrorism, and lone wolf attacks adding to the dangers of violence. 
• India hosted various events to tackle terrorism, including a Special Meeting of the UNSC-CTC focusing on emerging technologies, the third edition of the No Money for Terror conference for tackling future modes of terror financing, and a special briefing on the Global Counter-Terrorism Architecture.
• However, it is essential to assess current challenges, especially amidst the war in Europe, COVID-19, and the global recession.

State-sponsored terrorism:

• India has suffered greatly from terrorism, with numerous violent explosions causing significant loss of life and property in major cities over the past few decades. It is essential to fight against terrorist groups in all physical and virtual spaces.
• Pakistan's army transfers money to terror organizations, and its active participation has resulted in thousands of deaths in the region. Despite several warnings from the international community, Pakistan has supported numerous terrorist groups, leading to accusations of aiding terrorism on Indian soil.
• Pakistan, however, denies all allegations, claiming that non-state actors commit these acts. Former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf has admitted that Pakistan supported and trained terrorist groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba in the 1990s to carry out militancy in Kashmir. 
• Pakistan has been in favour of religious militancy since 1979. Some organizations change names and set up new groups to evade scrutiny, making it difficult to hold Pakistan accountable.

 The importance of combating terrorist financing

• Some countries have adopted "terrorism" as their state policy, and it is crucial to curb their unrestrained activities through strict economic measures.
• All countries should set aside their geopolitical interests and work together to achieve this goal. The "Trace, Target, and Terminate" strategy should be employed to combat low-level economic offenses and organized economic crimes.
• One of the most effective ways to fight terrorism is by disrupting and preventing terrorism-related financial flows and transactions. Not only does this prevent future attacks by cutting off their material support, but it also provides valuable information for ongoing investigations.
• Countering terrorism financing is thus a crucial aspect of the global fight against terrorism, as terrorists and terrorist groups continue to raise money through various means.
• Countries must prioritize understanding the risks they face from terrorist financing and develop policy responses to combat all aspects of it.

Conclusion

• India must not only focus on fighting the "last war" on terrorism but also prepare for the future. It can collaborate with multilateral funding institutions to investigate how Pakistan is channeling money to terrorist organizations. India has been increasing its support and stance at international forums in its fight against terrorism and will continue to do so. 
• It is necessary to establish a comprehensive monitoring framework that involves cooperation, coordination, and collaboration among all intelligence and investigative agencies. The world community needs to address the contradictions in the War on Terror, as the UN has failed to agree on a common definition of terrorism for 20 years. Without a united front, the global War on Terror will only be as strong as its weakest link. It is important to study the success or failure of each approach before deciding on its applicability elsewhere.