Social Media Platforms Developing Into Effective Tools in Terrorist Groups’ “Toolkit”: Jaishankar
On Saturday, India urged concerted international action to prevent the abuse of new technologies by “non-state actors,” warning that social media platforms had evolved into potent tools in terrorist organisations’ “toolkits,” such as encrypted communications and crypto-currency.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar claimed that terrorist organisations, their “ideological fellow-travelers,” and “lone wolf” attackers have significantly improved capabilities by gaining access to the new technologies in a speech at a special meeting of the Counter-Terrorism Committee of the UN Security Council (CTC).
Additionally, he claimed that Pakistan and other nations that made terrorism into a “state-funded enterprise” had been put on notice by the UN’s anti-terror sanctions framework.
On the second day of the meeting in Delhi, representatives from each of the 15 UN Security Council members are present. The activities on the first day took place in Mumbai.
The external affairs minister reaffirmed India’s commitment to fighting terrorism and added that New Delhi would voluntarily contribute $500,000 this year to the UN Trust Fund for Counter-Terrorism.
In his remarks, Jaishankar claimed that technological advancements over the previous two decades have fundamentally changed how the world operates and that new and emerging technologies, such as blockchain and virtual currencies, virtual private networks, and encrypted messaging services, hold great promise for the future of a variety of economic and social benefits.
He did add that there is another aspect to it, particularly in relation to terrorism.
Given the inherent vulnerabilities of some of these technologies and the developing regulatory environment, “these very innovations have also thrown up new issues for the governments and regulatory organisations, “added Jaishankar.
“Recently, terrorist organisations, their ideological allies, particularly in open and liberal nations, and ‘lone wolf’ attacks have greatly increased their capabilities by having access to these technologies, “Added he.
The external affairs minister claimed that these forces target liberty, tolerance, and advancement using money, technology, and most significantly, the spirit of open societies.
“Internet and social media platforms have developed into effective tools in the arsenal of terrorist and militant organisations for disseminating propaganda, radicalising people, and spreading conspiracy theories intended to destabilise societies, “added he.
Governments all over the world are now concerned about terrorist groups and organised crime networks using unmanned aerial systems, he added.
According to Jaishankar, it is now “imminently dangerous” for terrorist organisations to “misuse” these unmanned aerial platforms to carry out targeted strikes and deliver explosives and weapons.
They present a challenge to security organisations all over the world. The possibility that terrorists could use weaponized drones to attack strategic, infrastructure, and commercial assets demands that member states pay close attention, he added.
The UN Security Council is convening in India for the first time, regardless of format.
Jaishankar called terrorism “one of the gravest risks” to humanity and claimed that during the past 20 years, the UN Security Council has developed an important architecture to tackle the threat, centred principally on the counter-terrorism sanctions regime.
He claimed that it had been quite successful in alerting nations that had supported terrorists with public funds.
But, he continued, “as prior 1267 Sanctions Committee Monitoring Reports have shown, the threat of terrorism is only growing and expanding, particularly in Asia and Africa.”
The UN Security Council’s special meeting being held in India, according to the external affairs minister, is also a result of the fact that anti-terrorism has been one of the main priority during New Delhi’s ongoing
tenure inside the highest body.
Jaishankar urged the Counter-Terrorism Committee to have concentrated discussions in order to dissuade terrorist organisations from abusing new and developing technologies.
He also mentioned how the extremist networks behind the 26/11 incident in Mumbai used technology.
As he put it, “Our experience taught us how a benign technology like Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) might be utilised for organising and coordinating such a cruel terrorist act from outside our borders.”
Recently, these terrorist organisations have used unmanned aerial vehicles like drones and quadcopters to traffic in drugs and weapons across international borders and to carry out terrorist strikes “he observed
The ministry of external affairs issued a warning that such hazards are not exclusive to India.
He said that terrorist organisations had utilised drones to track the activities of security personnel and even UN peacekeeping in Africa.
Terrorists launched cross-border drone assaults on the UAE and Saudi Arabia a few months ago, targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure, resulting in the loss of life and injuries, including those of Indian nationals there “said he.
The minister emphasised India’s dedication to bolstering global efforts to fight terrorism, especially those aimed at preventing its use of cutting-edge technologies.
It said, “Delhi Declaration.” “will serve as a demonstration of how seriously the world community is taking the threat presented by terrorists and will be approved during the summit. using new and developing technology.
“I am hopeful that today’s special meeting will result in yet another crucial turning point for this Council in addressing the pressing issue that needs the entire world’s immediate attention. community, “added he.
Global specialists and pertinent international agencies are present at the meeting in addition to representatives of UN Security Council member nations.
