UNSC

In a first, India will host diplomats and officials from all 15 countries of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), including China, Russia and the US, for a special meeting on terrorism, in Delhi and Mumbai in October.

Key determinants of the meet

The special meeting will specifically focus on three significant areas:

1. Internet and social media
2. Terrorism financing
3. Unmanned aerial systems

What is Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC)?

• The CTC is a subsidiary body of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
• The 15-member CTC was established at the same time to monitor the implementation of the resolution.
• In the wake of the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks in the US, the UNSC unanimously adopted resolution 1373.
• This among its provisions obliges all States

1. To criminalize assistance for terrorist activities,
2. Deny financial support and safe haven to terrorists and
3. Share information about groups planning terrorist attacks

Its executive body

• Seeking to revitalize the Committee’s work, in 2004 the Security Council adopted Resolution 1535.
• It created the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) to provide the CTC with expert advice on all areas covered by resolution 1373.
• It was established also with the aim of facilitating technical assistance to countries, as well as promoting closer cooperation and coordination both within the UN.

Its working

• While the CTC is not a direct capacity provider it does act as a broker between those states or groups that have the relevant capacities and those in the need of assistance.
• While the ultimate aim of the Committee is to increase the ability of States to fight terrorism, it is not a sanctions body nor does it maintain a list of terrorist groups or individuals.

Significance of the event

• India has been pushing for the UN members to adopt a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (first proposed in 1996), which is likely to be raised during the meeting.
• The event will showcase India’s role as a victim of terrorism as well as a country at the forefront of global counter-terrorism efforts.
• CTC meeting in India could also pave the way for a possible visit to New York by PM Narendra Modi in December, when India will be the President of the UNSC for the entire month.

Way ahead: Hitting the nerve

• While terror financing was now recognised by FATF, it was necessary to build templates and “codes of conduct” for newer threats.
• Today terror financing now includes financing through cryptocurrency and the use of drones for terror attacks.

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