On Friday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah asserted that India has been a target of terrorism originating from across its borders, and he expressed concern about certain countries providing protection and refuge to terrorists. Speaking at the third “No Money for Terror” (NMFT) conference, Shah urged the international community to recognize the threats arising from the recent regime change in Afghanistan, drawing parallels to the situation that led to the 9/11 attacks. While emphasizing that terrorism is not tied to any particular religion, nationality, or group, Shah stated that it poses the most significant threat to global peace.
Without explicitly naming Pakistan, Shah suggested that some nations undermine collective efforts to combat terrorism by harboring and shielding terrorists. He stressed that protecting a terrorist is tantamount to promoting terrorism, emphasizing the collective responsibility to prevent such elements from succeeding in their intentions.
The NMFT conference, with representatives from 72 countries and 15 international organizations, became a platform for Shah to address the evolving security challenges in the South Asian region, particularly with the changing dynamics in Afghanistan post-August 2021. Shah highlighted the significant challenge posed by the growing influence of Al Qaeda and ISIS, making the issue of terror financing more critical.
Shah called for coordinated global efforts to combat the threats arising from emerging technologies employed by terrorists. He emphasized the need to understand and address the patterns of Darknet activities and the use of virtual assets like cryptocurrency by terrorists. Shah noted that financing terrorism is more dangerous than terrorism itself, weakening the economies of affected countries.
In his opening remarks, Shah condemned terrorism in all its forms but acknowledged its evolving nature due to technological advancements. He called for a collective strategy to confront the changing face of terrorism, from traditional methods to modern weapons and information technology.
Shah also held discussions with Bangladesh Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan on the sidelines of the conference, addressing border management and shared security concerns. Additionally, he raised concerns about attacks on minorities and temples in Bangladesh.
