NSA Doval Urges SCO to Drop Terror Double Standards
At the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting held recently in Astana, Kazakhstan, India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval made a pointed appeal to member countries to relinquish double standards when dealing with terrorism. Doval’s remarks highlighted the need for a more unified approach to eliminating terror, as differing interpretations and selective actions continue to undermine collective efforts.
Doval’s Core Message on Terrorism
Doval opened his speech with a clear demand: the SCO must stop tolerating terrorist activities for political ends. He emphasised that terrorism cannot be combated selectively, stating that threats cannot be compartmentalised. This was a direct reference to countries that distinguish between “bad terrorists” and “good terrorists” based on their strategic or ideological alignments—practices that, according to Doval, only embolden extremist networks.
Selective Terrorism Undermines Security
Highlighting how various member states still see terror groups as assets rather than common enemies, Doval recalled past instances where such factions exploited state backing. He stressed that the rise of new extremist organizations—difficult to predict and locate—renders old geopolitical distinctions obsolete. His remarks underscored the urgent requirement for a realignment of collective mindsets.
India’s Vision for Collective Action
Doval urged SCO members to adopt a standardized policy on designating terrorists and their networks. He described such consistency as essential for successful counterterrorism cooperation and intelligence sharing. Without mutual trust and aligned responses, he warned, the region remains vulnerable to “spill‑over violence” and destabilising cross-border activities.
Technology, Finance and Radicalisation
The NSA highlighted new frontiers in terrorist operations, pointing to technologies, encrypted communication platforms, and online finance channels as modern enablers of extremist and vicious terror activity. India called on SCO members to enhance cyber defences, disrupt digital fundraising, and strengthen border agency coordination to stamp out terror ecosystems.
