The perils of radicalisation through cyber world came to
light during the terror attack in the heart of Dhaka’s diplomatic enclave in
July. India is getting together with ten member countries of ASEAN for the first time to hold a cyber dialogue to counter radicalisation.
Terrorist groups like the self-proclaimed Islamic State have
become increasingly sophisticated at creating dense, global networks of support
online, networks that are helping these groups run virtual circles around
governments and communities. This was highlighted during the Dhaka terror
attack where not only one Indian lost a life, another Indian - Islamic
Evangelist Zakir Naik- had been instrumental in radicalisation of the young
Bangladeshis, who belonged to the elite class of the country.
“We agreed to cooperate towards addressing traditional
security challenges, including in areas of de-radicalisation, prevention of
violent extremism and cyber crimes. ASEAN leaders looked forward to the
convening of the first ASEAN-India dialogue,” sources said. The dialogue will
take place in late 2016 in New Delhi. Zakir Naik’s sermons promoting
fundamentalist strain of Islam are very popular in Malaysia and Indonesia.
India has also launched a probe in the role of Zakir Naik and his organisation;
and the probe is being watched closely by these countries.
The internet is playing an increasingly prominent role in
radicalisation, extremism and terrorism. Terrorists use websites as sources of
ideological inspiration, to contact each other and for practical purposes, such
as finding manuals on how to make explosives. The Islamic State has proven
relentless in its violent campaign to rule and has aggressively promoted its
hateful message, attracting like-minded extremists.
India has been seeking a concerted effort to counter
terrorism and radicalisation at all international platforms. Prime Minister
Narendra Modi, who was in Laos to attend the ASEAN summit, also tried to
impress upon the member states on the threat posed by terrorism.
The countries have acknowledged terrorism as a significant
threat to peace and stability in the region and have lent support to India’s
efforts to have a universally accepted definition of Terrorism at the United
Nations. “In addition, ASEAN and India support the early adoption of the
Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) currently under
negotiation at the UN,” sources said. India has revived its two decade old
proposal of CCIT and will be pushing for its adoption at the UN General
Assembly this month.
India is said to have completed a draft taking into account
objections of the three main opposition blocs: the US, the Organisation of
Islamic Countries and the Latin American countries. The original draft that was
tabled in 1996 and discussed until April 2013 will give a universal definition
of terrorism, will make it imperative for all 193-members of the UNGA to adopt
it in their own criminal law, and clamp down on all terror groups camps without
distinction between good and bad terrorists.
