Global Fight Against Terrorism

• The recent Pahalgam terror attack, which targeted civilians including Hindu pilgrims, has once again reignited global concerns over the menace of terrorism. While the attack drew widespread international condemnation, the simultaneous calls for “restraint” from both India and Pakistan exposed the global double standards and the fragmented nature of international counter-terrorism efforts.
• As PM Narendra Modi rightly asserts, “There is no good or bad terrorism. Terrorism is terrorism—anywhere, everywhere.” Yet, despite such clarity in principle, the global response remains selective, politicised, and inconsistent, reflecting a lack of unified political will in global counter-terrorism narratives.

Global Status of Terrorism

1. Global Terrorism Deaths Decline by 13%: Global terrorism-related deaths fell by 13% in 2024, reaching 7,555, primarily due to a sharp reduction in fatalities in Myanmar.
2. Sahel Region Becomes Global Terrorism Epicentre: The Sahel region accounted for over half of global terrorism deaths in 2024, with Burkina Faso contributing to one-fifth of the total fatalities.
3. Islamic State (IS) Remains the Deadliest Group: Islamic State expanded to 22 countries, causing 1,805 deaths, with 71% of its activities concentrated in Syria & the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
4. Rise in Lone Wolf Attacks in Western Countries: Accounting for 93% of fatal attacks over the past five years, reflecting a shift to individual radicalization.

India’s Status of Terrorism

1. Global Ranking in Terrorism Impact: India is ranked 14^th worldwide in terms of the impact of terrorism. (Global Terrorism Index 2025)
2. State-Sponsored Terrorism Threat: India faces ongoing threats from Pakistan-backed groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, marked by infiltration attempts and attacks on civilians, security forces, and infrastructure.
3. Domestic Insurgencies and Extremism: Left-Wing Extremism incidents have declined over 77% since 2010, but Maoist activity persists in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Odisha.

Key Drivers of Global Terrorism

• Political Instability and Conflicts: Ongoing regional conflicts, such as in the Middle East, Africa, and parts of South Asia, create power vacuums that terrorist groups exploit to recruit, radicalise, and operate.
• Radicalisation via social media: The rise of digital platforms has facilitated the spread of extremist ideologies. E.g., Terrorist groups used to recruit, radicalise and coordinate attacks.
• State-Sponsored Terrorism: Some nations support or harbour terrorist groups for strategic purposes, using them as proxies in regional or global conflicts. E.g., Pakistan’s support to terrorist groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
• Failed State Governance: In regions with weak or collapsed governments, such as Syria, Somalia, and Afghanistan, terrorist organizations exploit the absence of law enforcement.
• Religious and Ideological Motivations: Extremist groups often use religion or ideology as a justification for violence. E.g., ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria)
• Economic Disparities and Marginalisation: Poverty, lack of education, and social marginalization create opportunities for extremist groups to recruit vulnerable individuals.

Foundation Courses

Fragmentation and Selectivity in the Global Fight Against Terrorism

• Erosion of Global Consensus on Terrorism: The post-9/11 era of “zero tolerance” has ended, as nations hesitate to hold perpetrators accountable. E.g., Pakistan in the cases of Pulwama (2019) and 26/11 (2008).
• Global Hypocrisy and Selective Standards: India faces calls for restraint and proof, while global actors downplay Pakistan’s role in terrorism, exposing a clear diplomatic double standard.
• Disintegration of post-9/11 Unity: The collective global resolve to combat terrorism post-9/11 has fractured, with nations now adopting selective approaches based on national interests.
• Regionalised Counter-Terror Focus: Europe targets right-wing extremism, the U.S. focuses on REMVE, and Canada invokes “freedom of expression” to overlook threats against India.
• China’s Obstruction at the UN: China has consistently blocked India’s efforts to block Pakistan-based terrorists at the UN.
• Neglect of Terrorism in Africa and Asia: Terrorism is rapidly escalating in Africa, particularly in the Sahel Region. E.g., accounts for over half of global terrorism deaths.

Challenges in the Collective Fight Against Terrorism

• Fragmented Global Response: Europe targets right-wing extremism, the U.S. sees 61% of domestic terror arrests linked to it, and India grapples with cross-border terrorism.
• Lack of Cooperation: Diplomatic friction undermines joint action. E.g., Canada refused to classify pro-Khalistan threats to India as terrorism.
• Geopolitical Constraints: Strategic alliances dilute counter-terrorism efforts. E.g., China vetoed at least 5 Indian proposals in 2022 to designate Pakistan-based terrorists under the UNSC 1267 sanctions list.
• Weak International Coordination: Despite 19 international anti-terror conventions, enforcement remains inconsistent due to a lack of a universally accepted definition of terrorism.
• Emerging Technological Threats: Over 90 terrorist groups now use encrypted apps and social media for propaganda and recruitment. (UN Counter-Terrorism report)
• State-Sponsored Terrorism: India attributes over 90% of cross-border terror attacks in Jammu & Kashmir since 1990 to Pakistan-backed groups like Let and Jem. (MHA)

Global Hypocrisy and India’s Counter-Terrorism Initiatives

• Global Bias on Regional Stability: The world downplays Pakistan-backed terror, citing “regional stability” concerns due to its nuclear bluff, unlike its stance on Ukraine-Russia.
• India’s Nuclear Restraint Ignored: Despite India urging Russia against nuclear use in Ukraine, India is pressured to show restraint against cross-border terror.
• Religious Targeting in Pahalgam: Hindu tourists were deliberately attacked in Pahalgam, exposing the communal motive behind Pakistan-linked terrorism.
• Silence on Hindu phobia: Global discourse condemns other religious hate but ignores clear cases of Hindu phobic violence like the Pahalgam attack.

Way Forward: Strengthening the Global Fight Against Terrorism

• Adopt Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT): A universally agreed definition of terrorism is essential to ensure uniform global action; India’s 1996 proposal must be adopted.
• Reform the UNSC: Inclusion of India and Global South nations is necessary to reflect the disproportionate terror impact on developing countries and ensure credible decision-making.
• Institutionalise Real-Time Intelligence Sharing: Strengthening platforms like INTERPOL, FATF, and UNODC is vital, as over 70% of transnational terror threats remain undetected due to coordination gaps.
• Regulate Digital Propaganda: Enforcing global accountability on tech platforms is crucial, as seen with Meta removing 41 million terror-linked posts in 2023.
• Revive and Strengthen Regional Frameworks: Operationalising SAARC’s anti-terror mechanism and enhancing BIMSTEC’s CTTC platform will ensure practical regional intelligence cooperation.

Geopolitical interests, selective responses and the absence of a unified definition undermine the global fight against terrorism. A united, neutral, rules-based strategy can ensure worldwide security and Justice.

Reference: The Hindu | PMFIAS: Terrorism in India

PMF IAS Pathfinder for Mains – Question 193

Q. In light of the recent terror attack, examine India’s counter-terrorism strategy and suggest ways to bolster regional and global cooperation against cross-border terrorism. (250 Words) (15 Marks)

Approach

• Introduction: Write a contextual introduction by mentioning the Jammu & Kashmir attack and India’s counter-terrorism strategy.
• Body: Examine India’s counter-terrorism strategy and suggest ways to bolster regional and global cooperation against cross-border terrorism.
• Conclusion: Briefly write about a multi-dimensional strategy combining internal preparedness and international collaboration.