The US designating TRF, a terrorist organisation validates India’s stance-peace and terrorism cannot coexist — while highlighting deepening US-India convergence in building a united global front against terror
The United States’ recent decision to classify the Resistance Front (TRF) — a proxy of the Pakistan-based terror organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) — as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation and designate it as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) has not only vindicated India’s zero-tolerance policy on terrorism but also brought India and the US closer in their shared fight against terror. India has long sought to coordinate global efforts in combating terrorism, and its bold stand at the recent 2025 Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit reaffirmed its uncompromising stance against transnational terrorism.
India’s conviction is clear: In a world that is interconnected and facing common challenges such as terrorism, violence, and insurgency, true collaboration requires shared principles, mutual respect, and unwavering values.
Peace and prosperity cannot coexist with terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs). At a time when territorial conflicts and wars rage across various regions of the globe, terrorist groups from neighbouring areas have sought to exploit instability in Kashmir, triggering public anxiety and drawing media attention to the declining morale of terror operatives.
The April 22, Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 tourists and injured many more, stands out as one of the most heinous recent incidents. The merciless killing of civilians and Army personnel in the Valley in recent years underscores the continuing challenges in fighting terrorism. This reality highlights the urgent need for a comprehensive international framework to counter this menace.
Domestically, India has developed a multi-layered security apparatus that targets terror financing, cyberterrorism, border infiltration, and maritime threats through advanced technology and strengthened intelligence operations. Yet, terrorists constantly evolve their tactics, creating an urgent need for global collaboration to develop communication systems and manage security arrangements that anticipate potential threats.
What is required is prudence, foresight, and rapid mechanisms for cooperation between the security and defence establishments of nations worldwide.
A shared strategy is essential to prepare for worst-case scenarios, including the possibility of biological or chemical weapons falling into terrorist hands. International cooperation in establishing stringent laws to prevent the possession and use of such weapons is indispensable. Equally important is the role of governments and the media in shaping public opinion against terrorism and ensuring quality information.
Modern terror groups often exploit religious sentiments to garner mass support for their clandestine operations. The increasing use of battery-operated explosive devices in public spaces has become another critical component of their tactics. Combating terrorism, therefore, requires a multi-pronged strategy: gathering prior intelligence, uncovering the covert missions of terror networks, countering propaganda with accurate information, and fostering close coordination among security, intelligence, and law enforcement agencies on a daily basis.
To this end, coordinated programmes supporting both the armed forces and the police are necessary to strengthen their effectiveness in the face of extremist propaganda.
While many nations have attempted to counter state-sponsored terrorism and insurgency through measures such as financial sanctions, consensus at the global level remains elusive. Over the past two decades, the unholy nexus between drug traffickers and terrorist groups has further undermined state security systems, compelling countries to wage a relentless war against this alliance.
Tougher laws alone, however, are insufficient. Legal systems must be reformed to ensure speedy trials. The evolving tactics of terrorists have forced nations to constantly seek alternative strategies.
The London Financial Summit Conference, convened by NATO states and Japan some years ago, marked an important step in discussing ways to strike at the roots of terrorism. Yet, only the creation of a common global platform against terror can yield lasting results.
The sudden mushrooming of suicide squads worldwide remains one of the gravest challenges, demanding highly vigilant intelligence systems. As religiously motivated attacks rise, the outdated notion that “one man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter” must be abandoned.
Local populations, even at personal cost, must cooperate with law enforcement, while nations must adopt firm and immediate measures to psychologically weaken terrorist networks. Localised intelligence should guide context-sensitive security responses. Ultimately, combating terrorism requires a coordinated global effort. Nations must share intelligence, align strategies, and foster international cooperation to confront this pervasive menace.
In an ever-changing environment, security forces must expand their capabilities by integrating specialised expertise and decades of experience in maintaining internal security. The most critical requirement is the creation of more effective mechanisms and advanced capacities to meet evolving security challenges.
The author, a recipient of the Bharat Gaurav and Asian Achievers Awards, is a Professor and an expert on Strategic Affairs
