In an increasingly digital world, the rise of online extremism poses a significant threat to global security. Recognizing this, the European Union (EU), in partnership with India’s Ministry of External Affairs and the Global Counter-Terrorism Council (GCTC), is hosting a crucial two-day regional conference in New Delhi on August 21-22, 2024. This high-level meeting will bring together experts from South Asia—including India, Bangladesh, Maldives, and Sri Lanka—and Europe, to discuss strategies for combating the exploitation of online spaces by extremist and terrorist actors.
A Collaborative Approach to Counter-Terrorism
The EU-India Track 1.5 Conference aims to strengthen counter-terrorism dialogues and partnerships, aligned with the EU’s Indo-Pacific Strategy. This strategy emphasizes deeper engagement with partners who share common goals and face similar challenges, particularly in the digital realm. The event will focus on identifying collaborative measures to address the complex challenges posed by the intersection of technology and terrorism.
This conference is part of a broader initiative to enhance security cooperation between the EU and India. The ongoing efforts, supported by the EU project Enhancing Security Cooperation In and With Asia (ESIWA), have previously tackled issues such as drone terrorism, cybersecurity, misinformation, and disinformation, alongside the role of women in peace and security. This consistent engagement underscores the commitment of both regions to counter the evolving threats of terrorism, especially in the digital age.
Key Participants and Agenda
The conference will see participation from senior officials and experts in security and strategic studies from India’s Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Defence, Indian Army, and Indian Police, among others. On the European side, a diverse group of top security practitioners from EU institutions, member states (including Austria, Italy, Croatia, Estonia, Spain, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, France, and Romania), and key agencies such as Frontex and Europol, will engage in peer-to-peer exchanges.
Ambassador Hervé Delphin, the EU’s representative to India, emphasized the importance of shared knowledge in countering online radicalization. He highlighted that terrorism transcends boundaries and has found a new domain in the digital world. Delphin expressed the EU’s willingness to share its experiences in regulating social media and internet providers, focusing on human rights while addressing security concerns.
India’s Firm Stance Against Terrorism
India’s position on terrorism is unequivocal, as highlighted by KD Dewal, Joint Secretary (Counter Terrorism) at the Ministry of External Affairs. He reiterated India’s zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism and its readiness to engage as a collaborative partner in combating cross-border terrorism and extremism. Dewal stressed the need for consistent international cooperation and condemned the double standards often observed in counter-terrorism efforts.
Building on Past Collaborations
The conference builds on the momentum of previous EU-India counter-terrorism collaborations, particularly in regulating terrorist content online. Since the inception of their Counterterrorism Dialogue in November 2020, both regions have prioritized addressing the exploitation of the internet by terrorist groups. The EU’s Terrorist Content Online (TCO) Regulation, the Digital Services Act (DSA), and the EU platform on illicit content online (PERCI) are among the key regulatory measures that will be discussed during the event.