In the series Sansad TV Perspective, we bring you an analysis of the discussion featured on the insightful programme ‘Perspective’ on Sansad TV, on various important topics affecting India and also the world. This analysis will help you immensely for the IAS exam, especially the mains exam, where a well-rounded understanding of topics is a prerequisite for writing answers that fetch good marks.
In this article, we feature the discussion on the topic: ‘India’s Efforts to Counter Terror’
Anchor: Vishal Dahiya
Guests:
- Lt. Gen. Rameshwar Yadav (Retd), Defence & Internal Security Expert
- Dr. Vikram Singh, Former DGP, Uttar Pradesh
- Navneet Wasan, Former DG, NIA
Context: Annual report by US Bureau on Counterterrorism.
Highlights of the discussion:
- Introduction
- India’s efforts to counter terrorism
- Role of Law enforcement agencies and technology
- Way Ahead
Introduction:
- According to the annual report by the US Bureau on Counter-terrorism, the Indian government made significant efforts in 2021 to detect, disrupt, and degrade the 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 the global level in efforts to formulate a strategy against terrorism.
- In October 2022, India hosted two global events – the Interpol Annual General Meeting and a special session of the 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.
India’s efforts to counter terrorism:
- India has tremendously improved its Standard Operating Procedures and structures to fight insurgency, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir, and Northeast India.
- India has holistically worked on the issue. For instance, there is an anti-infiltration grid deployed in the Line of Control (LoC).
- Rashtriya Rifles, the Army Units, Central Police Organizations, etc are manning the country at different levels.
- There are also economic and political developments in the most fragile region of the country (Jammu and Kashmir) that have resulted in diminishing the old narrative and building the confidence of the local public. For instance,
- More than 80000 crore rupees have been invested by the government for development work in the region.
- Various institutions are involved in training the youth and ensuring employment opportunities.
- The security environment has been made conducive.
- Economic well-being and better security resulted in improved tourism. For example, the average tourist visit of six to eight lakhs showed tremendous growth with nearly 20 lakh tourists in 2022.
- The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is also efficiently working in the Jammu and Kashmir region.
- Efforts are also made to cooperate with other countries like the U.S.
- India is playing a very active role in the international forum as terrorism is not confined to a particular region. It organized a ‘No Money for Terror’ conference in 2022.
- Strong coordination is established between State Police, Army, and Central Police forces.
- A zero-tolerance approach against anti-national and anti-humanity activities is being followed in India.
Role of Law Enforcement Agencies in countering Terrorism:
- Various Law Enforcement Agencies, particularly NIA, have matured in dealing with the issue in the past few years.
- They cooperate with local and state agencies strengthening the state-to-state and state-to-centre cooperation.
- It should also be noted that for operations and investigations, NIA largely depends on state police forces.
- The agencies should not work in silos as it would make it difficult to solve the problem in depth.
- Active cooperation of all the police forces is crucial to give a befitting reply to the terrorist organizations.
Also read: Central Intelligence and Investigative Agencies in India
Role of Technology in Counter Terrorism:
- With emerging technologies, there is a threat of online radicalization, bullying, stalking, extortion, collection of funds, etc.
- The best brains of the rogue nations and failed states use it to disturb the peace and harmony of other countries.
- Cryptocurrency has also raised a new challenge and has empowered terrorist organizations.
- India has proactively used technology in its favour. For instance, the LoC Border fence has been equipped with facilities like drones, satellite imagery, etc to disrupt intruders and ensure battlefield transparency.
- A hierarchical command and control system has been established in the country.
- A seamless communication network has also been deployed for efficient information sharing.
Role of Information sharing in Counter-terrorism:
- India has established an intelligence-sharing network called NATGRID.
- The information is also shared among agencies like FATF, Income Tax Department, Enforcement Directorate, and Customs Department so as to keep track of terrorist financing at a deeper level.
- India is also a part of various international organizations like FATF, Asia-Pacific group, and Egmont group that look over money laundering aspects.
- India has also considered regional, bilateral, and multilateral arrangements like QUAD for sharing information on terrorist activities.
Also read: Asia Pacific Group (APG) on Money Laundering
Way Ahead:
- Terrorism has roots all across the world and thus all countries should cooperate to prevent such attacks in the future anywhere in the world.
- The expertise of law enforcement agencies should be developed further with enhanced cooperation and better exchange of information not only within India but also with other countries.
- Upgradation of skills and collection of information has to be taken to another level.
- Cyber proficiency of all police forces and the army needs to be improved further.
- India should focus on the collection of advanced human and technical agencies.
- Moreover, India should continue to collaborate at different levels (regional, bilateral, and multilateral) and share real-time information to prevent any unfortunate incidents in the future.
- It should also be noted that NIA is a post-incident investigating agency. It should be equipped with intelligence collection on the lines of the United State’s FBI.
- Financial aspects should be understood and analyzed at a deeper level and concerns should be flagged on an urgent basis.
- The exchange of assets like gold bullion, cryptocurrency, etc along with narco-terrorism should be closely monitored and cracked down. Any delay in it could prove to be counterproductive and suicidal for the country.
- Efforts against safe havens of terrorists:
- Countries that support terrorist organizations should be exposed and isolated in the world.
- International media and international organizations can play a pivotal role in building the narrative.
Read all the previous Sansad TV Perspective articles in the link.
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