Act against terror proxies: Ajit Doval at NSAs' meeting

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 6

The National Security Advisers (NSAs) of India and Central Asian countries on Tuesday called for collective action to deal with the use of terror proxies for cross-border terrorism, terror financing and radicalisation.

A joint communique at the end of the meeting agreed that connectivity initiatives should be based on principles of transparency, and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries, in a tangential criticism of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) that, India says, runs through a portion of its territory occupied by Pakistan.

Describing finance as the “lifeblood” of terrorism, NSA Ajit Doval, in his opening remarks, said countering of terrorist financing should be of equal priority to all countries.

In an oblique reference to Pakistan’s harbouring of terror networks, he said nations must be asked to fulfil obligations enshrined in relevant counter-terrorism conventions and protocols as well as refrain from providing any form of support to entities and persons embroiled in terrorist acts.

The joint communique also said the NSAs agreed that fundraising efforts had serious security implications for the region, and therefore, a collective and coordinated response is essential.

“Connectivity with Central Asian countries remains a key priority for India. We stand ready to cooperate, invest and build connectivity in the region,” he offered. Taking a swipe at the CPEC, Doval said while expanding connectivity, it was important to ensure that such initiatives were consultative, transparent and participatory with respect to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries. The NSAs of India, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan participated in the meeting while Turkmenistan was represented by its ambassador. “Afghanistan is an important issue concerning us all. India’s concerns and objectives with regard to immediate priorities and the way forward are similar to those of many around the table,” he said. Central Asian NSAs also spoke on drug trafficking rampant in the region. Kyrgyz NSA Marat Imankulov said the common interest of the NSAs was to combat terrorism, extremism and drug trafficking as well as resolving the situation in Afghanistan. Tajikistan’s NSA Nasrullo Mahmudzoda mentioned other threats in the region such as cybercrime and cyber terrorism, and biological threats, besides the “highly destructive ideology of religious extremism which is advancing rapidly”.

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