New Delhi : India has once again renewed its urgent call for the adoption of an international treaty against terrorism, a proposal first introduced nearly 30 years ago. During a meeting of the United Nations General Assembly’s Sixth Committee on Legal Affairs on Thursday, R. Mythili, a legal officer representing India’s UN Mission, emphasized the growing global threat posed by terrorism. She pointed out that terrorist groups are increasingly using advanced technologies, such as drones, to enhance their destructive capabilities, making the need for a comprehensive global legal framework more urgent than ever.
Mythili expressed India’s deep frustration with the protracted stalemate in negotiations to finalize the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT). The CCIT has been under discussion since 1996 but has repeatedly stalled due to disagreements among member states, particularly over how to define terrorism and address the issue of “state-sponsored” terrorism. These differences have allowed some nations to shield certain militant groups under the guise of political or freedom-fighting causes.
India’s representative strongly condemned countries that justify terrorism for political reasons, asserting that no political cause can validate the loss of innocent lives. She called for the global community to move beyond the political divisions that have historically hindered progress in adopting the treaty. Mythili warned that the fight against terrorism is becoming weaker due to these unresolved political agendas, which have allowed certain groups to operate freely without facing international consequences.
This renewed appeal comes in the wake of the UN Summit last month, where global leaders adopted the “Pact of the Future,” signaling renewed commitments to counter-terrorism efforts. India’s position aligns with the global urgency for stronger collective action against terrorism, but it goes a step further by pushing for a legally binding international treaty that would define terrorism in clear, unambiguous terms and hold countries accountable for providing support or safe havens to terrorist organizations.
India’s longstanding advocacy for the CCIT reflects its own experience with terrorism, as it has frequently been targeted by both domestic and international terrorist groups. For India, the adoption of the treaty is not just a legal issue but a critical component of global security. Mythili’s call for unity reflects India’s hope that by putting political differences aside, the international community can adopt a robust legal instrument to effectively combat the evolving threat of terrorism.
By urging swift action on this front, India is positioning itself as a key advocate for a more cohesive, legally grounded approach to eradicating terrorism globally.
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