Terrorism remains one of the most destructive forces shaping the global order in the 21st century. From the Middle East to South Asia, from Europe to Africa, violent extremism has repeatedly demonstrated its ability to destabilise societies, cripple economies, and derail decades of developmental progress. At a time when conflicts are becoming more complex and interconnected, the world is realising that terrorism anywhere threatens peace everywhere. The New Delhi meeting, attended by 19 Arab League member nations, carries enormous geopolitical significance. It reflects a growing recognition that terrorism cannot be selectively condemned based on political convenience. The global order is undergoing transformation, with non-state actors and state-sponsored networks blurring the line between warfare and terrorism. India’s position is clear – terrorism must be taken at face value and must never be justified as an instrument of state policy. This message assumes special importance in the current global climate, where proxy conflicts and ideological extremism continue to fuel instability.
The Middle East has arguably witnessed the worst manifestations of terrorism in recent decades. Groups such as ISIS, Hezbollah and Hamas have contributed to prolonged cycles of violence that have destroyed societies and cost thousands of innocent lives. Entire generations have grown up amid conflict, displacement and uncertainty. The last year itself witnessed massive upheaval beginning with Hamas attacks on Israel, followed by large-scale Israeli military retaliation in Gaza, and later widening tensions impacting Lebanon and even drawing in Iran. The chain reaction once again demonstrated that terrorism rarely remains confined to a single geography. It spreads instability, polarisation and economic disruption across regions and continents.
Terrorism’s ripple effects extend far beyond immediate conflict zones. Refugee crises, supply chain disruptions, global oil price fluctuations and rising security costs are all linked to terror-triggered conflicts. The world economy pays a heavy price. The collective financial cost of terrorism runs into billions of dollars annually through infrastructure destruction, military expenditure, disrupted trade and loss of investment confidence. More importantly, terrorism destroys human capital – the most valuable resource any nation possesses. Schools, hospitals and livelihoods collapse when violence becomes normalised.
While much of the world began experiencing terrorism at scale in the early 21st century, India has faced brutal terror violence since the early 1980s. From insurgency movements to cross-border terrorism, India’s experience has been long, painful and continuous. The Indian subcontinent, too, has witnessed devastating attacks, including recent incidents like the Phalgam terror attack that triggered strong counter-responses such as Operation Sindoor. These events underline India’s long-standing argument that terrorism is not an abstract threat but a lived reality for many nations.
One of the most critical yet often under-discussed aspects of terrorism is financing. No terror network survives without financial backing. Easy petrodollar flows, illicit trade, drug trafficking and covert state support have historically enabled extremist groups to sustain operations. Cutting terror funding must become a global priority. Without financial oxygen, terror ecosystems collapse. This requires stronger global financial monitoring systems, intelligence sharing and political will.
The significance of India’s outreach to Arab League nations lies not only in security cooperation but also in economic and technological collaboration. India shares deep historical, cultural and economic ties with countries such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Millions of Indians live and work in the region, while West Asia remains critical for India’s energy security. Stronger coordination can open new opportunities in infrastructure development, energy transition and emerging technologies like artificial intelligence. Economic interdependence can act as a powerful deterrent against conflict by aligning national interests towards stability and growth.
Geopolitics has changed dramatically in the last year. Multiple overlapping crises have shown how fragile peace remains in many parts of the world. The choice before the international community is clear – continue cycles of confrontation, proxy wars and ideological battles, or move towards cooperation based on shared economic and developmental goals. Mutual benefit must take precedence over religious or regional dominance if lasting peace is to be achieved. The world can become a far safer and better place if terrorism is decisively checkmated through united global efforts. India’s message is clear – peace and prosperity are possible only when terrorism is rejected universally, without exception or justification.
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