Terrorism, geopolitics and the Kashmir dilemma: Unraveling a global crisis rooted in imperial agendas
The recent terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam has triggered a chain of events, including retaliatory strikes on terrorist bases in Pakistan. With a ceasefire in place, it is imperative to take a deeper look at how to address this cancerous phenomenon that continues to haunt our societies. Terrorism has captured the global spotlight particularly after the 9/11 attacks in the US, where over 2,000 people died in the Twin Tower tragedy. The term “Islamic terrorism” was popularised by US media and soon picked up globally, unfairly linking an entire religion to violent extremism.
While individual acts of terror can be identified, defining "terrorism" as a concept remains elusive—even the United Nations has not succeeded in articulating a universally accepted definition. In India, terrorism has mostly been visible in the recurring violence in Kashmir, where radicalised Muslim youth, often brainwashed, have carried out deadly attacks. The 26/11 Mumbai attacks in 2008, which left nearly 200 people dead, serve as a grim reminder. Among those killed was Hemant Karkare, then chief of the Anti-Terrorism Squad in Maharashtra.
Around the same time, India also began witnessing terror acts linked to right-wing groups. The first was in Nanded (2006), followed by major incidents in Malegaon, Ajmer, Mecca Masjid (Hyderabad), and the Samjhauta Express. In the Malegaon case, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has demanded the death penalty for BJP MP Pragya Singh Thakur, whose motorcycle was reportedly used in the blast. Lt Col Purohit is also on trial, along with others like Swami Aseemanand and Major (Retd) Upadhyay—many of whom had affiliations with Hindutva politics.
India must now take a broader view of global terrorism and its implications for national security. While recent attacks like Pulwama and now Pahalgam have exposed gaps in our security apparatus, addressing terror requires more than policing. It needs international collaboration to dismantle its root causes.
Terrorist groups affecting India often operate from Pakistan. Ironically, Pakistan is both a perpetrator and a victim of terrorism. Much of the current wave of terror in South Asia can be traced back to the American campaign against the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan. Unable to confront the Soviet military directly, the US facilitated the rise of madrassas in Pakistan that trained young Muslim men for jihad. The Taliban and its offshoots emerged from this project.
Mahmood Mamdani, in his insightful book Good Muslim, Bad Muslim, explains how Washington shaped the curriculum of these madrassas, portraying Communists as "kafirs" (infidels) and glorifying their killing as a divine mission, promising paradise (Jannat) in return. The US poured $8 billion into this effort and provided 7,000 tons of arms, including advanced stinger missiles.
This imperialist manipulation, aimed at controlling West Asia’s oil wealth, spiraled out of control. The region descended into chaos, fueled further by the Huntingtonian “Clash of Civilizations” narrative. In response, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan set up a high-level committee to investigate this thesis. The committee's report—Alliance of Civilizations—concluded that global progress has been driven by collaboration, not conflict, among civilizations. Yet this report received little attention, drowned out by widespread Islamophobia and media narratives. In some places, copies of the Quran were even publicly burned.
Terrorism has become a Frankenstein’s monster, consuming even its creators. Pakistan, once a training ground for jihadists, has suffered immensely. Former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto was assassinated in a terror attack. The Global Terrorism Index (GTI), which considers incidents, fatalities, injuries, and hostage cases over a five-year average, currently ranks Pakistan 2nd and India 14th—indicating that Pakistan has endured greater trauma from terrorism than India.
No surprise, then, that Pakistan—home to many radical madrassas—has suffered widespread casualties. While India must do all it can to prevent terror attacks, the origins of terrorism lie deeper, in the geopolitical ambitions of empires. Countering this global menace requires cooperation, not just condemnation.
In an ironic twist, Pakistan—a country repeatedly labeled the "global exporter of terror"—has been appointed to chair the UN Security Council’s Taliban Sanctions Committee in 2025 and is also serving as vice-chair of the Council's Counter-Terrorism Committee. This paradox reflects the complex web of geopolitics at play.
Several factors shape Pakistan’s policies, with China's influence being a notable one. While Pakistan must be held accountable, it also needs to be brought into a global dialogue to eliminate this menace. Promoting democracy in Kashmir and healing its wounds are equally essential steps toward peace.
Today, India is caught in multiple dilemmas. Kashmir’s developmental progress remains stagnant despite its vast potential. Pakistan needs to engage on multiple fronts to tackle the cancer of terrorism. Meanwhile, a subtle but p kiervasive propaganda continues to associate Islam with terror. This narrative ignores the historical context in which American geopolitical strategies in West Asia, especially to control oil, bred this violence. Tackling terrorism requires not just tactical responses but also a deep understanding of its global political roots. Without this, our efforts will remain symptomatic, rather than curative.
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