At UN, India rejects categorization of terrorism based on motivation behind such acts

India, March 10, 2023: India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj, has expressed concern over the “dangerous” tendency to categorize terrorism based on the motivations behind terrorist acts.

Addressing the First Reading of the Draft Resolution on the 8th Review of the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, Kamboj stressed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations should be condemned without exception. She warned against the use of new terminologies and false priorities that could dilute the international community’s focus on combating terrorism.

Kamboj asserted that there cannot be good or bad terrorists and that states providing shelter to terrorists should be called out and held accountable. She underlined the need to protect the secular nature of the strategy, condemning all kinds of terrorist attacks irrespective of religion, belief, culture, race, or ethnicity.

Kamboj expressed concern that the threat of terrorism is persistent and rising, particularly in Africa and Asia. She highlighted the use of online space as another frontier for terrorist groups to achieve their nefarious goals.

Kamboj appealed for the preservation of unity and unequivocal support for the strategy, not surrendering to exclusivist and narrow approaches. She stressed the importance of preserving the balance among all pillars of the global strategy, which aims to address the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism, prevent and combat terrorism, build states’ capacity to prevent and combat terrorism, and ensure respect for human rights for all and the rule of law.

Kamboj urged the international community to take unified, multilateral action against terrorism, calling it “inevitable.” She noted the significant contributions of some international fora, such as the Financial Action Task Force, in combating terror financing, implicitly referring to countries known for their laxity on this issue, such as Pakistan.