Introduction: The conference on “India Facing Terrorism as a Global Threat” aims to address the pressing issue of terrorism, with special focus on the challenges posed by Khalistani terrorism and the financing of such activities from Pakistan. The conference brought together experts, policy makers and scholars from Toronto to discuss and analyze the impact of Khalistani terrorism and strategies to counter this menace. The following report summarizes the key discussions and recommendations presented by the four distinguished speakers during the conference.

 

Speaker 1: Martin Forget – Understanding Khalistani terrorism and its global implications Martin Forget, an expert in counter-terrorism, provided insight into the nature of Khalistani terrorism and its global implications. He highlighted the historical background of the Khalistan movement and its evolution as a terrorist organization. Martin stresses the importance of understanding the socio-political factors that contribute to the recruitment and radicalization of individuals into Khalistani terrorist groups. They also stressed the need for international cooperation to counter the international nature of Khalistani terrorism and exchange of best practices in countering violent extremism.

Speaker 2: Michael Giles – India’s Response to Khalistani Terrorism and its Challenges Michael Giles, an expert on India, focused on India’s counterterrorism measures in addressing the challenges posed by Khalistani terrorism. He highlighted the proactive approach taken by Indian security forces in dismantling Khalistani terrorist networks and preventing attacks. Michael Giles outlined the legal and operational frameworks in place to counter terrorist activities, including intelligence sharing, capacity-building initiatives, and legislation targeting terrorist financing. He also highlighted the challenges faced by Indian security agencies, including the external support and funding provided to Khalistani groups from Pakistan.

Speaker 3: Broaden Roth – Tackling Terrorism Financing and Pakistan’s Role Broaden Roth, an expert in terrorism financing, shed light on the crucial issue of funding Khalistani terrorism, with a particular focus on the role played by Pakistan. He discussed the various channels through which funds are channeled to Khalistani terrorist groups and the need for robust measures to disrupt these financial flows. He stressed the importance of international cooperation in tracking and preventing terrorist financing, particularly in countering the cross-border funding from Pakistan. He called for increased scrutiny of financial transactions and enhanced collaboration between intelligence agencies to tackle this challenge effectively.

Speaker 4: Mario Silva – Strengthening International Cooperation and Countering Radicalization Mario Silva, an international relations expert and President of IFFRAS, emphasized the significance of international cooperation in countering Khalistani terrorism. He stressed the importance of sharing intelligence, best practices, and expertise among countries to effectively tackle the transnational nature of this threat. He also highlighted the need for concerted efforts in countering radicalization, particularly through initiatives that promote inclusivity, education, and religious tolerance. He underlined the importance of addressing socio-economic disparities and promoting social cohesion as key elements in preventing the rise of extremism.

 

Conclusion: The conference on “India Facing Terrorism as a Global Threat” provided a forum for a comprehensive discussion on the challenges posed by Khalistani terrorism and the funding of such activities from Pakistan. Speakers highlighted the nature of Khalistani terrorism, India’s response to this threat, Pakistan’s role in supporting these activities, and the importance of international cooperation in combating terrorism financing and radicalization.

The conference highlighted the need for stronger measures to disrupt terrorist financing, increase intelligence sharing and address the root causes of radicalisation. It is hoped that the insights gained from this conference will contribute to the ongoing efforts to combat terrorism and promote peace and security globally.