India Calls for Global Collaboration to Combat Terrorism and Highlights Commitment to Nuclear Disarmament
India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, emphasized terrorism as the central issue in India-Pakistan relations during an address at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) on Tuesday. He underlined that India, as a long-standing victim of cross-border terrorism, maintains zero tolerance for the scourge and insists on the cessation of terrorist activities as a prerequisite for engaging with Pakistan.
India’s Trust Eroded by Terrorism
In response to a question about Pakistan, Harish stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made efforts to engage with Islamabad, but terrorism remains a critical obstacle. “The first issue in engaging with Pakistan is the cessation of terrorism. That is a key issue,” he remarked.
He highlighted that trust has been eroded due to repeated terror attacks on Indian soil and underscored the need for accountability and justice for victims of terrorism. Harish referenced the 26/11 Mumbai attacks and the 9/11 attacks in the U.S., describing terrorism as an existential threat to humanity that transcends borders and nationalities.
India’s Approach to Counter-Terrorism
Addressing the global challenge of terrorism, Harish stressed that international collaboration is essential to combat the threat. “A single attack is one too many. A single life lost is one too many,” he said.
India’s strategy, referred to as the “India Way,” focuses on working closely with international partners to combat terrorism. He outlined areas requiring urgent attention, including:
• Cyber terrorism and new technologies.
• Terror financing and state culpability.
• Online radicalization.
• Justice delivery for victims.
“How do we reinvigorate the international counter-terrorism agenda, including at the UN? These are questions we must address,” he added.
India’s Stand on Nuclear Disarmament
Harish also highlighted India’s consistent advocacy for universal, verifiable, and non-discriminatory nuclear disarmament. “We do not believe in creating isolated nuclear weapons-free zones in a world where delivery mechanisms are global,” he said.
India maintains a policy of credible minimum deterrence, adhering to a “no first use” doctrine and committing to the non-use of nuclear weapons against non-nuclear weapon states. Harish emphasized the growing threat of terrorists acquiring weapons of mass destruction and called for stronger international measures to prevent such scenarios.
Global Challenges Call for Collaborative Solutions
The keynote event, titled “Responding to Key Global Challenges: The India Way,” was co-sponsored by the MPA Programme in Global Leadership and the International Organisation and UN Studies Programme. The session drew students, faculty, and policy experts, offering a platform to discuss India’s approach to addressing terrorism, nuclear disarmament, and other global challenges.
Ambassador Harish’s remarks reaffirm India’s commitment to combating terrorism and promoting global peace through collaborative efforts and adherence to international norms.