India, US Press for Global Sanctions on Terror Proxies as Strategic Convergence Deepens in 21st Counterterrorism Dialogue
India and the United States have called for expanded global sanctions against key Pakistan-based terror outfits and their proxies, marking a significant step forward in bilateral counterterrorism cooperation.
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| File Photo/Representational Image Source: Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff |
Led by Dr. Vinod Bahade, Joint Secretary for Counter Terrorism in India’s Ministry of External Affairs, and Ms. Monica Jacobsen, Senior Bureau Official at the US Department of State’s Bureau of Counterterrorism, the high-level engagements reinforced the counterterrorism pillar of the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership.
Against the backdrop of recent attacks in Pahalgam and near Delhi’s Red Fort, both delegations strongly condemned terrorism in all forms, specifically cross-border violence, and emphasized the need to hold perpetrators accountable.
The April 22 attack in Jammu and Kashmir and the November 10 bombing in Delhi were cited as reminders of the region’s ongoing vulnerability to state-enabled terrorism.
The meetings revealed a strong convergence on strategic counterterrorism priorities. Officials from both nations discussed a wide array of threats, including the misuse of emerging technologies such as drones, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and artificial intelligence (AI) for planning and executing terrorist activities.
The increasing use of such technologies by non-state actors has sparked concern over global security protocols and raised the urgency for bilateral and multilateral mitigation strategies.
Participants also reviewed joint efforts to disrupt terror recruitment, restrict terror financing, and bolster cybersecurity frameworks. Both sides highlighted the importance of sustained law enforcement collaboration, improved information sharing, and enhanced cooperation on mutual legal assistance.
Central to the dialogue was a renewed push for action through the United Nations’ 1267 Sanctions Committee. India and the United States called for additional listings of individuals and groups affiliated with ISIS, al-Qa’ida, Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), and their proxies.
The two sides advocated for a comprehensive approach—ensuring that designated individuals and entities are subjected to global asset freezes, travel bans, and arms embargoes under international law.
India acknowledged and welcomed the US designation of The Resistance Front (TRF)—a LeT proxy—as both a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT), underscoring the shared resolve to dismantle terror financing networks and support systems.
The designation is seen by Indian officials as a significant diplomatic win in its long-running campaign to isolate groups operating under the protection of Pakistan’s state infrastructure.
The dialogue further reiterated the need for intensified collaboration across global counterterrorism platforms, particularly within the UN system, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), and the Quad grouping, where India and the US are joined by Japan and Australia.
Both sides agreed that coordinated pressure through multilateral forums is essential to curbing the ability of terror networks to exploit legal and financial loopholes.
With mutual recognition that terrorism remains a dynamic and transnational threat, India and the United States committed to continued operational coordination, targeted designations, and strategic intelligence sharing.
The next edition of the Joint Working Group meeting and the Designations Dialogue will be hosted by the United States on a date to be decided mutually.