India Describes Pakistan as a Global Hub of Terrorism at the United Nations
India once again scolded Pakistan for its alleged support of cross-border terrorism, particularly with specific mention of groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). During an open debate at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on 'Practicing Multilateralism, Reforming and Improving Global Governance', India's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish delivered a sharp rebuttal of the statements of Pakistan regarding Jammu and Kashmir.
In response to Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Mohammed Ishaq Dar, Harish highlighted that Pakistan is a home to over 20 UN-listed terror groups and provides state-sponsored support to cross-border terrorism.
"Pakistan is a global hotspot of terrorism, a home to over 20 UN-listed terror groups and a provider of state support to cross-border terrorism," said Harish.
Pakistan's History of Supporting Terrorist Organizations
India has long maintained that Pakistan is a nursery of terror, since groups that have been sanctioned by the international community are still active on its soil. Such groups as Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), and Hizbul Mujahideen have carried out hundreds of attacks on Indian soil.
According to the United Nations Security Council's consolidated terrorist list, there are almost 150 listings of terrorist groups and individuals present in Pakistan who either carry out operations from Pakistani ground or enjoy its facilitation.
The 2008 Mumbai attacks, the 2016 Pathankot attack, and the 2019 Pulwama bombing all point towards Pakistan-based terror groups. The JeM, led by Masood Azhar, has been one of the leading causes of most of these violent attacks.
Jaish-e-Mohammed's Resurgence: A Growing Concern
Even though it has been sanctioned by the UN, JeM has continued to function openly in Pakistan. It is reported that JeM is regrouping and consolidating its network, with Masood Azhar remaining in touch with the group's operatives.
India has repeatedly requested Pakistan to act against JeM in tangible terms, but there has been no significant crackdown on the outfit. Instead, there have been instances of JeM conducting recruitment drives, terror camps, and fund-raising in Pakistan with little interference from the government.
International Condemnation and Calls for Action Against Pakistan
India's move against Pakistan's sponsorship of extremists and terror funding has gained momentum in the international arena. Foreign ministers of India, Brazil, and South Africa have recently given a joint statement denouncing terrorism and calling for strong action against Pakistan-based outfits like LeT and JeM.
The statement also alleged the UNSC of adopting double standards in sanctioning terrorists, namely China's repeated blocking of India's attempts to place specific individuals on the list of global terrorists.
China's Role in Protecting Pakistani Terrorists
China, a permanent member of the UNSC, has vetoed resolutions repeatedly to sanction the leaders of groups like JeM and LeT. Beijing's friendly relations with Islamabad have led it to shield Pakistani terrorist outfits from global sanctions.
Double standards cannot be allowed regarding sanctioning terrorists. The world has to act against those providing havens and support to extremist groups," India's representative to the UN emphasized.
This absence of accountability has allowed Pakistan-based terror outfits stay in business, and there are worries among international security analysts.
Pakistan Faces Its Own Terrorism Blowback
Interestingly, Pakistan's decades-long history of supporting terrorism has begun to backfire at home. Several terror groups, once nurtured by the Pakistani establishment, have now turned against the state itself.
- The Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), once a strategic asset, has carried out many attacks within Pakistan, including government buildings and military installations.
- Baluch separatist groups also stepped up their attacks, with the latest bombing near Karachi Airport killing two Chinese nationals. (Read More)
Pakistan's terrorism double game—keeping extremist elements clandestine while seeking to contain its own domestic insurgencies—has resulted in a mounting security crisis on its own territory.
The Path Forward: How India and the Global Community Should React
India continues to look for more international pressure on Pakistan to end state-sponsored terrorism. Among the key strategies are:
1. More International Pressure on Pakistan:
- India is demanding tougher sanctions and financial restraints on Pakistan through institutions like the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
- The FATF has put Pakistan on its "grey list" repeatedly due to the fact that it has not been able to prevent terror financing.
2. Sanctions and Legal Action Against Terror Financiers
- Countries like the US, UK, and France have been supporting India's call for UN sanctions against Pakistani-based terrorists.
- Strengthening counter-terrorism laws and freezing terror-group assets can drain their sources of funds.
3. Region-Wide Coordination to Counter Terrorism
- Promoting increased intelligence networks of cooperation among India, Afghanistan, and the Middle Eastern allies would be used to track and de-energize terrorist groups.
- **Pakistan must be held accountable in regional security organizations such as *SAARC* and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)**.
4. Counter-Radicalization
- Efforts at ridding the ideological origin of extremism are an imperative.
- Social media monitoring, counter-radicalization programs, and school reform can limit terrorist recruitment.
Conclusion: The World Must Act Now
India has once again shamed Pakistan's sponsorship of state terrorism in front of the United Nations and called for collective global action against terror groups.
The return of JeM, continued Chinese shielding of Pakistani terrorists, and Pakistan's own growing internal instability due to extremist blowback highlight the need for an international consensus strategy for fighting terrorism.
By confronting Pakistan and setting firm counter-terror measures, the global community can aim for a safer, terror-free world.