UPSC Mains Questions (GS Paper II & III)

GS Paper II – International Relations

Q1. The global consensus on counterterrorism is increasingly fragmented. Discuss how this impacts India’s security and diplomatic interests.
 (15 marks)

Introduction:

The recent terror attack on Chinese engineers in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region and the subsequent lack of uniform global response highlights a growing fragmentation in the global counterterrorism framework. This raises concerns for countries like India that have long been victims of cross-border terrorism.

Body:

A. Evidence of Fragmentation

• Lack of clarity at the UN: UN Security Council’s failure to define terrorism comprehensively (due to veto politics).
  
  
• Selective application of counterterror norms:
  
  
  • West condemns ISIS or al-Qaeda strongly but shows leniency toward “good terrorists” aligned with state interests (e.g., Afghan Taliban).
    
    
  • Inconsistency in applying FATF rules and sanction mechanisms.
    
    
• Pakistan as an example:
  
  
  • Hosts terror networks targeting India.
    
    
  • Receives strategic and financial support from global powers due to its geopolitical utility (e.g., U.S. during Afghan War, China’s CPEC projects).
    
    

B. Implications for India’s Security

1. Weakens global pressure on Pakistan:
   
   

• Despite being on FATF grey list, Pakistan has escaped real punitive actions.
  
  
• China repeatedly blocked India’s attempt to list Pakistani-based terrorists under UNSC 1267.
  
  

1. Erosion of deterrence:
   
   

• Fragmented responses embolden non-state actors.
  
  
• Reduces diplomatic cost for countries using terrorism as a strategic asset.
  
  

1. Threat to regional stability:
   
   

• Destabilizes India’s western border, especially in J&K, Punjab, and Afghanistan-linked areas.
  
  

C. Diplomatic Repercussions

• India’s efforts at international forums (UNGA, BRICS, SCO) to push for Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) have seen limited progress.
  
  
• Perception that India is isolated in its fight unless attacks target Western interests.
  
  
• Affects India’s ability to build coalitions on counterterror issues, limiting strategic leverage.
  
  

D. Way Forward

1. Bilateral Counter-Terror Agreements:
   
   

• Strengthen ties with like-minded countries (e.g., France, Israel, Australia).
  
  

1. Strengthen regional cooperation:
   
   

• Use platforms like BIMSTEC and IORA to build regional CT cooperation.
  
  

1. Global advocacy for CCIT:
   
   

• Revive push for uniform definition of terrorism.
  
  

1. Use multilateral platforms for naming & shaming:
   
   

• India should strategically expose double standards and support intelligence-sharing frameworks.
  
  

Conclusion:

Terrorism remains a transnational threat, but the global response is often divided along geopolitical lines. For India, building coalitions, exposing duplicity, and pushing for norms-based order is crucial to safeguarding its interests and ensuring that terrorism is universally condemned and prosecuted — irrespective of geography or sponsor.