Mains Practice Questions

Approach:

• Introduce the answer by briefing about India’s counter-terrorism strategy
• Delve into Key Evolving Components of India’s Current Counter-Terrorism Strategy
• Evaluate its Effectiveness in Curbing Cross-border Terrorism
• Conclude with a quote.

Introduction:

India’s counter-terrorism strategy has evolved in response to the shifting dynamics of global and regional terrorism, particularly in the context of cross-border terrorism sponsored by Pakistan.

• A recent example of India’s evolving strategy was Operation Sindoor launched in May 2025 in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack,

Body:

Key Evolving Components of India’s Current Counter-Terrorism Strategy:

• From Deterrence by Denial to Deterrence by Punishment: India has evolved a more kinetic, military response to cross-border terrorism, as seen in Operation Sindoor and previous retaliatory measures like the Surgical Strikes (2016).
  • This strategy signals that acts of terrorism will be treated as acts of war, leading to military escalation if necessary.
    • This approach aims to disrupt terrorist activities and signal that India will inflict disproportionate damage on adversaries sponsoring terrorism.
• Enhanced Intelligence and Surveillance: India has bolstered its intelligence infrastructure with agencies like NIA, RAW, and IB, focusing on cross-border terrorist activities.
  • NatGrid utilizes advanced analytics to detect and disrupt terror financing and other networks.
• Evolving Legislative Framework: Amendments to laws like the UAPA and NSA allow for preventive action, asset freezing, and designation of terrorist organizations. These laws provide the legal backbone for India’s proactive measures against terrorism.
• National-Level Counter-Terrorism Agencies: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) and National Security Guard (NSG) are now at the forefront of counter-terrorism operations, managing high-risk threats and ensuring national security.
  • Their coordination with state and central agencies ensures a unified response to terrorism.
  • The NIA has recently expanded its mandate to include international operations, improving India's ability to address terrorism across borders.
• Enhanced Border Security: India is investing in smart fencing, drones, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) along sensitive borders, especially in Jammu and Kashmir, to combat cross-border infiltration by terror groups.
  • These measures reduce the risk of terrorist infiltration and enhance situational awareness.
• Counter-Radicalization and Community Engagement: India’s counter-radicalization initiatives focus on addressing the root causes of terrorism, including ideological extremism and local grievances.
  • Engagement with communities, especially in conflict zones like Kashmir, plays a critical role in preventing youth from joining terror groups.
  • Example: The Operation Sadbhavana in Jammu and Kashmir aims to win the "hearts and minds" of the local population through various welfare activities and developmental projects
• Diplomatic and Economic Leverage: India's diplomatic measures, including economic sanctions and revocation of agreements, target countries that harbor terrorists, particularly Pakistan.
  • Recent actions, such as keeping the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) with Pakistan in abeyance, highlight India’s strategic use of diplomatic leverage.

Evaluation of Effectiveness in Curbing Cross-Border Terrorism:

• Successes
  • India’s kinetic responses like Surgical Strikes and Balakot airstrikes have sent a clear message of retaliation, thereby disrupting terror networks and deterring future attacks.
  • Intelligence-sharing through agencies like NIA and RAW has led to the successful dismantling of several terror cells operating across India.
  • India’s defense capabilities have evolved from basic ground forces to advanced air defense systems like the S-400.
    • This has enhanced India’s ability to counter aerial threats, including those posed by terror organizations using drones and missiles.
• Challenges
  • Despite India’s military responses, Pakistan continues to support terrorism indirectly through its military and intelligence agencies.
    • The lack of consistent diplomatic pressure has sometimes allowed Pakistan to evade substantial consequences.
  • Terrorist attacks like the Pulwama attack (2019) show that despite punitive actions, cross-border terrorism remains a persistent threat.
  • Local radicalization and cyber terrorism pose evolving threats, which are difficult to combat through traditional military measures alone.

Conclusion:

India's counter-terrorism strategy has evolved significantly, balancing offensive defense and defensive offense, as encapsulated in the Doval Doctrine. The future strategy should focus on a whole-of-government approach and continued adaptability, ensuring that terrorism, whether through conventional means or modern threats like cyber warfare, is consistently contained. As Indian Prime Minister Modi aptly put it, "This is not the era of war, but neither of terrorism."