MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI R.P.N. SINGH)
(a) to (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 114 FOR 5TH MARCH, 2013.
(a) & (b) : Indian delegations have consistently raised the issue of terrorism and the need
for enhanced international cooperation in counter-terrorism efforts as a matter of priority
in the United Nations (UN) as well as in other international fora such as the Non-Aligned
Movement and the Common Wealth. As a member of the UN, India has always supported the
resolutions adopted by the UN General Assembly dealing with various aspects of terrorism.
During India’s membership of the Security Council as a non-permanent member from 1 January
2011 to 31 December 2012, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN chaired the UN Security
Council Committee on Counter-Terrorism Committee [UN CTC], which is the key subsidiary body
of the Security Council in the fight against terrorism as well the Security Council’s Working
Group concerning threats to international peace and security by terrorist acts.
Under India’s chairmanship, the UN CTC adopted the concept of `zero tolerance` of terrorism
and support for terrorist actions and thereby raised the benchmark for counter-terrorism at
the UN. This was done at the Special Meeting of the UN CTC on 28 September 2011 held to mark
the 10th anniversary of adoption of Resolution 1373 on counter-terrorism. On 20 November
2012, during India`s Presidency of the Security Council, the UN CTC held another Special
Meeting which focused the spotlight on prevention and suppression of terrorist financing.
India’s Chairmanship of UN CTC imparted a renewed momentum to the global counter-terrorism
efforts and promoted a culture of zero tolerance towards terrorism. For the first time, three
Special Meetings of the Committee with participation of the wider UN membership and
international regional and sub-regional organizations were held during India’s two-year
Chairmanship since the setting up of Committee in 2001 [the Committee has organized only five
such meetings till 2010]. This emphasis on outreach efforts and inclusivity has resonated
well with the wider membership of the UN.
India also has Joint Working Groups (JWGs) on Counter-Terrorism with 25 countries and 2 Regional
Groups. The concerns related to terrorism and respective threat perceptions are exchanged
during the meetings of JWGs. These are useful platforms for sharing views, policy coordination
and exploring capacity building cooperation related to counter terrorism. During the last three
years, 18 meetings of the JWGs have been held.
Apart from the above, India has made efforts for intensifying cooperation in the field of
financing of terrorism, counterfeit currency, capacity building, sharing of information and
its analysis and exchange of best practices. India have also signed mutual legal assistance
and extradition agreements with partner countries.
(c) & (d) : Terrorism emanating from territory under Pakistan’s control remains a core concern
for India. Through different fora like Home Secretary level talks/Foreign Secretary level talks
/ Ministerial level talks, the Government of India has sought a firm and abiding commitment from
Pakistan that it will not allow its
territory and territory under its control to be used for aiding and abetting of terrorist
activities directed against India and for providing sanctuary to such terrorist groups. India
has consistently stressed to its interlocutors the need for Pakistan to honour its commitment
of not allowing territory under its control to be used for terrorism against India in any manner.
(e) : There exists a very close and effective coordination amongst intelligence agencies at
the Center and the State levels as a mechanism for sharing of intelligence inputs. Intelligence
inputs about possible designs and threats are shared with the State Governments concerned on a
regular basis. The Multi Agency Center (MAC) has been strengthened and re-organised to enable
it to function on 24x7 basis for real time collation and sharing of intelligence with other
intelligence agencies and security intelligence inputs are shared with the concerned States
through the established mechanism, which ensures close coordination and sharing of intelligence
and seamless flow of information between the States and the Central Security and Law Enforcement
Agency. This has resulted in busting of terrorist modules.
Law & Order and Police is a State subject, therefore, the primary responsibility to address
these remains with the State Governments. Combating terrorism, however, is a shared
responsibility considering its implication on internal security. In order to deal with the
menace of extremism and terrorism the Government of India have taken various measures which,
inter-alia, include augmenting the strength of Central Armed Police Forces;
establishment of four NSG hubs; empowerment of DG, NSG to requisition private aircraft in the
event of any emergency; tighter immigration control; effective border
management through round the clock surveillance & patrolling on the borders; establishment of
observation posts, border fencing, flood lighting, deployment of modern and hi-tech surveillance
equipment; upgradation of Intelligence setup; and coastal security.
Besides, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 has been suitably amended in 2008 and
2012 to criminalize financing of terrorism and inclusion of counterfeiting of currency notes in
the definition of terrorism, besides strengthening the punitive measures. The National
Investigation Agency has been constituted under the National Investigation Agency Act, 2008 to
investigate and prosecute offences under the Acts specified in the Schedule. As a part of steps
to counter terrorist threats, the National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID) has been created.
The Prevention of Money Laundering Act has been amended in 2009 to inter alia, include certain
offences under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, as predicate offence.
Further, the Government continues to raise the issues of Cross-Border Terrorism in all its
aspects including its financing on various multi-lateral and bilateral fora.
