India has raised strong concerns over terrorism and alleged safe havens at the United Nations Security Council, pointing to the history of the 9/11 attacks and the locations where several senior al-Qaeda figures were eventually found.
Speaking at a UNSC meeting on Afghanistan, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, recalled that key figures connected with the September 11, 2001 attacks were not found hiding in remote conflict zones. India cited the cases of Osama bin Laden, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and other senior al-Qaeda operatives who were located in settled or urban areas of Pakistan.
India argued that the experience of 9/11 demonstrates the importance of addressing the wider environments that allow terrorist networks to operate, rather than focusing only on individual terrorists. Harish also warned about what India described as a continuing “permissive environment” for terrorist organisations and affiliates.
During his remarks, the Indian envoy specifically referred to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), alleging that such groups have continued to receive space, support and protection from accountability. India called for stronger international efforts to prevent terrorist groups from using safe havens and support networks to sustain their activities.
The remarks came as the Security Council marked 25 years since the 9/11 attacks. The United Nations has said terrorism remains one of the most serious threats to international peace and security and stressed the need for collective action against evolving terrorist networks.
The latest exchange at the UN reflects continuing concerns over terrorism, regional security and accountability, with India pressing for international action against organisations and environments it says enable terrorist activity.