No Money for Terror Conference 2022

• 19 Nov 2022

For Prelims: No Money for Terror Conference

For Mains: Use of technology in terrorism, Initiatives to tackle terrorism, Challenges in tackling terrorism

Why in News?

Recently, third 'No Money for Terror' (NMFT) Ministerial Conference on Counter-Terrorism Financing was held in New Delhi, India.

• The Prime Minister of India has strongly asked for avoiding any ambiguity in dealing with terrorism and also warned against nations that use terrorism as a tool of foreign policy.

What is No Money for Terror Conference?

• About:
  • The “No Money for Terror” conference was started in 2018, as an initiative of the French government, to specifically focus on cooperation between countries to choke terror funding.
    • In 2019, the conference was held in Australia.
    • It was to be held in India in 2020 but was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
• Significance:
  • It offered a unique platform for participating nations and organisations to deliberate on the effectiveness of the current international regime on Counter Terrorism Financing and the steps required to address emerging challenges.
• Conference 2022:
  • It was attended by delegates from 72 countries and 15 international organisations.
  • During the Conference, deliberations were held in four sessions with focus on:
    • Global Trends in Terrorism and Terrorist Financing.
    • Use of Formal and Informal Channels of Funds for Terrorism.
    • Emerging Technologies and Terrorist Financing.
    • International Co-operation to Address Challenges in Combating Terrorist Financing.

What was India’s Stand at NMFT Conference 2022?

• Regime Change in Afghanistan:
  • India urged the international community to take cognisance of threats emerging from regime change in Afghanistan, as the last one had led to 9/11 attacks.
  • The regime changes and the growing influence of Al Qaeda & Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) have emerged as a significant challenge to regional security.
• Stress on Terrorist's Safe Havens:
  • India stressed that the international community should never ignore terrorists’ safe havens or their resources.
  • It is important to expose the double-speak of such elements who sponsor and support them.
  • It is important that this conference, the participating countries, and the organisations, should not take a selective or complacent perspective of the challenges of this region.
• Threats from Emerging Technologies:
  • Terrorists and terrorist groups understand the nuances of modern weapons and information technology such as Dark Net and Cryptocurrency very well.
    • This transformation of terrorism from dynamite to metaverse and AK-47 to virtual assets is definitely a matter of concern for the countries.
    • The infrastructure used for cyber terrorism and online radicalisation is distributed.
      • Each country can and must act against the part of the chain within reach.
• Cost of Terrorism Supportive Countries:
  • Certain countries support terrorism as part of their foreign policy. They offer political, ideological and financial support to them.
  • There must be a cost imposed upon countries that support terrorism. Organisations and individuals that try to create sympathy for terrorists must also be isolated.
• Threats from Organised Crime:
  • Organised crime should not be seen in isolation and these gangs often have deep links with terrorist outfits.
  • The money made in gun-running, drugs and smuggling is pumped into terrorism.
  • Even activities like money laundering and financial crimes have been known to help terror funding.

What are the Initiatives to Counter Terrorism?

• National:
  • In January 2009, in the wake of the 26/11 terrorist attack, the National Investigation Agency was established to deal with terrorist crimes.
  • In India, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Act is the primary anti-terrorism law.
  • To gather information related to security, the National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID) has been established.
  • An operational hub has been created for the National Security Guard to ensure a rapid response to terrorist attacks.
• Global:
  • United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT)
  • Terrorism Prevention Branch (TPB) of United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
  • Financial Action Task Force (FATF)
  • India’s Annual Resolution on Counter-Terror

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)

Q. Analyse the complexity and intensity of terrorism, its causes, linkages and obnoxious nexus. Also suggest measures required to be taken to eradicate the menace of terrorism. (2021)

Q. The banning of ‘Jamaat-e-islaami’ in Jammu and Kashmir brought into focus the role of over-ground workers (OGWs) in assisting terrorist organizations. Examine the role played by OGWs in assisting terrorist organizations in insurgency affected areas. Discuss measures to neutralize the influence of OGWs. (2019)

Q. “Increasing cross-border terrorist attacks in India and growing interference in the internal affairs of several member-states by Pakistan are not conducive for the future of SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation).” Explain with suitable examples. (2016)

Source: IE