India, EU Discuss Counterterrorism Cooperation, Condemn Pahalgam Attack

NEW DELHI: Alongside ongoing discussions on trade and strategic ties, India and the European Union held the 15th round of their Counterterrorism Dialogue, during which both sides strongly condemned the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam. The EU also reiterated its condolences to India over the killing of innocent civilians in the incident.

Reaffirming their shared commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms — including cross-border terrorism — both parties condemned the attack in the strongest terms. The Indian delegation is understood to have briefed EU officials on Pakistan’s alleged involvement, highlighting the role of The Resistance Front (TRF), an affiliate of the UN-designated terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).

The dialogue also covered a range of critical areas in counterterrorism cooperation. These included strategies to combat terror financing, curb online radicalisation, and deepen exchanges on the designation of terrorist individuals and organisations.

In a joint understanding, both sides recognised that terrorism remains a global threat that requires sustained and unified international action. Emphasising the need for collaboration in multilateral platforms, India and the EU underlined the importance of cooperation through the United Nations, the Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF), and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

SCO Reiterates Condemnation of Pahalgam Attack

The 44th meeting of the Council of the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), held in the Kyrgyz Republic, also reiterated its condemnation of the Pahalgam terror attack, echoing the stance taken earlier at the SCO Summit in Tianjin.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the SCO leaders, urged all member states to ensure that no country provides support or safe havens to cross-border terrorism. He thanked the member nations for their solidarity and stressed the need for a unified, uncompromising approach, saying there should be no double standards when it comes to combating terrorism.