In a significant move to intensify the global fight against terrorism, India and the United States have jointly urged the United Nations to impose stricter punitive measures against Pakistan-based terrorist organisations and their networks. The call includes enforcing a global asset freeze, comprehensive travel bans, and a strict arms embargo against groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM).
Key Demands at the UN 1267 Sanctions Committee
The powerful appeal was made during the meeting of the India-US Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism and a separate 'designations dialogue', both held in New Delhi on December 3. The discussions were led by Vinod Bahade, Joint Secretary (Counter Terrorism) in India's Ministry of External Affairs, and Monica Jacobsen, Senior Bureau Official in the US State Department's Bureau of Counterterrorism.
In a joint statement released on Saturday, the two strategic partners emphasized that confronting terrorism requires "concerted action in a sustained and comprehensive manner." Their specific demands to the UN include:
- Additional designations of ISIS and Al-Qa'ida affiliates under the UN 1267 sanctions regime.
- Similar actions against LeT, JeM, their proxy groups, and their supporters, sponsors, financiers, and backers.
- Ensuring all designated individuals and entities face the full force of global sanctions: an asset freeze, travel ban, and arms embargo.
Condemnation of Attacks & Focus on Emerging Threats
The dialogue also saw India formally thanking the United States for its recent designation of The Resistance Front (TRF) – a known proxy of the Lashkar-e-Taiba – as both a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO) and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). The TRF had claimed responsibility for the recent Pahalgam terror attack.
Both nations strongly condemned the Pahalgam attack as well as a recent heinous incident near the Red Fort, stressing that those responsible must be held accountable. The partners expressed deep concern over the increasing use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), drones, and artificial intelligence for terrorist purposes.
The meetings involved a thorough review of a wide spectrum of threats, including:
- Terrorist recruitment strategies.
- Abuse of emerging technologies by terrorists.
- Complex channels used for financing terrorism.
Strengthening Multilateral and Bilateral Cooperation
Reflecting the depth of the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership, the two sides renewed their commitment to bolstering cooperation across multiple forums. They agreed to enhance collaboration in:
The United Nations (UN): Pushing for decisive action within the sanctions committees.
The Financial Action Task Force (FATF): Strengthening efforts to choke terror financing.
The Quad: Utilizing the platform for a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific.
On a bilateral level, India and the US discussed concrete steps to improve cooperation. These include enhanced training programs, cybersecurity initiatives, the exchange of best practices, and robust information sharing. The talks also covered strengthening law enforcement and judicial cooperation, particularly through smoother processes for mutual legal assistance requests.
This high-level dialogue underscores a unified front against cross-border terrorism and a shared determination to adapt counter-terror strategies to meet evolving challenges, ensuring perpetrators and their supporters face severe international consequences.
