In order to enable a collective global response to terrorist violence, India might push for resetting the definition of “terrorism” which separates act of violence from its justification and causes. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference (MSC) held in New Delhi on Tuesday, National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Kumar Doval sought a global consensus on the definition of terrorism and called for a comprehensive United Nations convention against terrorism to effectively deal with the menace disturbing global peace and stability.
The first draft prepared by India in 2001 on international terrorism could not be pursued at the United Nations since Pakistan had opposed bringing the so-called “freedom-fighters” under the definition of terrorism. However, the NSA expressed that over these 13 years, terrorism is much more intense and expanded.
“Terrorism is much more intense and expanded. India is deeply concerned. There is a need for comprehensive UN convention on terrorism with prescribed unified response.
Whatever the objective may be, the means (terror activities) is important,” Doval said while asserting that the reasons for justifying terrorist activities cannot be used as an excuse to refrain from having a coordinated international action against the perpetrators. Doval’s statement was aimed against Pakistan’s support to terrorists in Jammu & Kashmir who call themselves mujahids (freedom fighters).
On China and Pakistan, Doval said India is ready to talk to sort all disputes and differences but not at the cost of territorial integrity and compromising national interest. Doval said that India’s immediate neighbourhood has problems with regard to “terrorism and certain types of other tendencies that were not very conducive for region.”
“We consider China an important neighbour. We had some bad experiences in 1962 and a border dispute. But there is lot of space for economic co-operation. We have to sit and find a solution to our disputes. While I would like to take every opportunity to develop the relationship to the best extent, but we will never be able to make any compromise on our territorial interest and sovereignty and at the cost of our national security,” Doval said while indicating towards alleged incursions across the line of Actual Control. However, the NSA underlined that there were positive signals from China to address the boundary dispute and conceded that not much would be gained by following a path of “exclusivist isolation.”
Doval also suggested changing the conventional extradition laws in view of the new cyber security challenges emerging. “Cyber threat is a fast moving battle and there are new types of threats emerging. The perpetrator may be sitting in a different country hence we have to act fast. Terrorism to some extent can be tackled, but cyber space is something which is totally new and somebody can attack you, your private individuals, the defence system, the critical infrastructure, Government locomotives and power generation can be targeted by people totally out of your reach,” the NSA said.
The Munich Security Conference Core Group meeting is being held in collaboration with Indian Government and think-tank Observer Research Foundation to debate global and regional security challenges, including the conflict in West Asia and the situation in Afghanistan after the withdrawal of foreign troops. India is represented by Doval and Deputy National Security Adviser Arvind Gupta, Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh, Secretary (West) of the Ministry of External Affairs Navtej Sarna and Ananth Guruswamy, Director of Amnesty International India. During the conference, India has sought a proactive role from Europe in muting the Rsdestructive forces.’