New Delhi, India – In a move to strengthen counter-terrorism efforts, India and France held in-depth discussions during the 16th meeting of the India-France Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism.
The talks focused on the increasing dangers posed by terrorists' exploitation of technology, online radicalization, and sophisticated financing networks.
Led by K.D. Dewal, India's Joint Secretary (CT) at the Ministry of External Affairs, and Ambassador Olivier Caron, France's Special Envoy for Counter-Terrorism and Organised Crime, both nations highlighted the importance of tackling state-sponsored terrorism in South Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, specifically regarding activities within the Afghanistan-Pakistan region.
The meeting also addressed separatist movements targeting India and the complex web of terror financing, organized crime, and narcotics trafficking. India presented its perspectives on the Nuclear Material Facilities Taskforce (NMFT) and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), leading to a productive exchange of views between the two countries.
"India and France recognize the urgency in adapting counter-terrorism strategies to combat the rapidly evolving tactics of terrorist groups," the Ministry of External Affairs stated. "Both nations are committed to bolstering cooperation through intelligence sharing, training programs, and joint efforts within multilateral organizations like the United Nations."
Why this matters: This collaboration signals a strong stance against terrorism, which poses a very real threat across the globe. The focus on technology-enabled terrorism highlights the need for nations to continuously update their tactics to protect their citizens and national security.
The two countries will continue the dialogue through the 17th Meeting of the JWG on CT, scheduled to be hosted by France.
