India, Brazil, and South Africa Call for Global Action Against Terrorism and Its Sponsors
On September 26, 2024, India, Brazil, and South Africa came together to call for stronger action against terrorism. During their meeting at the IBSA (India, Brazil, South Africa) Dialogue Forum held alongside the United Nations General Assembly in New York, these three countries emphasized the urgent need to tackle terrorism worldwide. They specifically highlighted the growing problem of terror groups being supported and used as proxies by certain states for their own geopolitical interests.
This joint statement is important because it shows the commitment of three major democracies from different regions—Asia, Latin America, and Africa—towards fighting terrorism. It sends a strong message that more must be done globally to prevent terror groups from causing harm and to hold accountable those who support them.
What Is the IBSA Forum?
The IBSA Dialogue Forum is a platform for cooperation between India, Brazil, and South Africa. These three nations, all major players in their regions, work together to address global challenges like terrorism, climate change, and development. They also use the forum to strengthen their economic and political ties.
This time, the focus was on the growing threat of terrorism. The joint statement released at the forum condemned all forms of terrorism and urged countries around the world to comply with international obligations, especially the United Nations Security Council’s resolutions on fighting terrorism.
The Problem of State-Sponsored Terrorism
India has been particularly vocal about the issue of state-sponsored terrorism. In simple terms, this refers to situations where countries support terrorist groups—either by providing them with funds, weapons, or safe havens—so that these groups can carry out attacks against their enemies. India has long accused its neighbor, Pakistan, of supporting terrorist groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), which have been responsible for multiple attacks in India, including the deadly 2008 Mumbai attacks.
India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, spoke about the need to take a firm stand against this kind of terrorism. “We must adopt a zero-tolerance approach to terrorism. This means not only fighting terrorist groups directly but also addressing the use of terror proxies by states. Terrorism anywhere is a threat to peace everywhere,” he said.
Brazil and South Africa Join the Fight
Brazil and South Africa fully supported India’s concerns and echoed their call for stronger global action against terrorism. Brazil’s Foreign Minister, Mauro Vieira, emphasized the need for international cooperation to combat the threat. He said that nations need to work together to share intelligence, build their capabilities, and dismantle terror networks that operate across borders.
South Africa’s Minister of International Relations, Naledi Pandor, added that terrorism is a growing problem in Africa, especially in regions like the Sahel. Terrorist groups are taking advantage of weak governments and fragile state structures to gain power and cause destruction. These groups pose a serious threat not only to regional stability but also to human rights and development.
The Need for International Cooperation
The leaders of India, Brazil, and South Africa stressed the importance of multilateral organizations, like the United Nations, in addressing terrorism. They voiced their support for the UN’s Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, which is a framework for how countries can work together to combat terrorism. However, they also pointed out that there are still gaps in the current international system, particularly when it comes to stopping the flow of money to terrorist organizations and addressing how new technologies are being used by these groups.
One major step forward that the IBSA countries are pushing for is the adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT). This is an initiative that India proposed at the UN many years ago. If adopted, the CCIT would create a global legal framework to fight terrorism more effectively. Unfortunately, progress on this has been slow, but India, Brazil, and South Africa are determined to move it forward.
Terrorism and Technology
One of the biggest challenges in the fight against terrorism today is the way that terror groups are using new technologies to their advantage. The leaders of India, Brazil, and South Africa discussed how terrorists are using social media platforms to recruit new members, spread propaganda, and raise funds. This is particularly concerning because it allows terrorist organizations to operate in a more decentralized way, making it harder for governments to track and stop them.
The IBSA countries called for more responsibility from technology companies. They urged these companies to take stronger action against the misuse of their platforms for terrorist activities. Social media companies, in particular, were asked to work closely with governments to remove harmful content and prevent terror groups from using their services for illegal purposes.
Stopping Terrorist Financing
Another key issue discussed was the financing of terrorism. Terror groups rely on money to operate, and many of them use illegal networks to move their funds. These networks often involve complex systems of money laundering, smuggling, and, more recently, cryptocurrencies. The leaders at the IBSA Forum agreed that stronger global efforts are needed to cut off these financial lifelines.
The joint statement emphasized the importance of international cooperation in tracking the flow of funds to terrorist organizations. By working together, countries can better monitor suspicious financial activities and shut down the networks that enable terrorists to access resources.
Global Response and Support
The joint call by India, Brazil, and South Africa received widespread support from other countries. Nations like the United States, the United Kingdom, and France welcomed the call for stronger international action against terrorism. These countries have also been actively involved in counterterrorism efforts and share the concern about the use of terror proxies by certain states.
However, the issue of state-sponsored terrorism remains a delicate subject in international politics. While India has consistently raised concerns about countries that support terror groups, such as Pakistan, these accusations have often led to diplomatic tensions. Pakistan has repeatedly denied these claims, accusing India in turn of supporting insurgents within its territory. Despite these challenges, India, Brazil, and South Africa are continuing to push for more accountability from countries that may be involved in supporting terrorism.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next?
The IBSA Dialogue Forum has shown that India, Brazil, and South Africa are serious about fighting terrorism and ensuring global peace. But their work is far from done. The issue of terrorism is complex and constantly evolving, especially as terrorist organizations adapt to new technologies and methods of operation. In response, countries around the world need to be flexible and work together more effectively.
The next steps for India, Brazil, and South Africa include pushing for the adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) at the United Nations. They will also continue to work within multilateral organizations like the UN to strengthen global counterterrorism strategies, close gaps in the system, and ensure that countries comply with their international obligations.
At the same time, the IBSA nations will need to maintain pressure on states that support terrorism, whether directly or indirectly. By doing so, they hope to reduce the influence of terror groups and prevent future attacks that could threaten international peace and security.
India, Brazil, and South Africa’s joint call for action against terrorism is a powerful statement about the need for global cooperation. By coming together, these three nations are demonstrating their commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms, including the use of terror proxies by states.
The challenges are significant, but with continued international cooperation and the support of global institutions like the United Nations, progress can be made. The fight against terrorism requires a collective effort, and the IBSA Forum has shown that India, Brazil, and South Africa are ready to lead that effort on the global stage.