India-US-Quad unite to intensify global fight against terrorism

In a strong show of unity amid diplomatic challenges, India, the United States, Japan, and Australia—key members of the Quad—convened in New Delhi this week to deepen counter-terrorism cooperation.

Against a backdrop of strained India-US trade relations, the joint effort underscores their shared commitment to combating terrorism in all its manifestations, including cross-border violence.

Officials from the four nations participated in a two-day Quad Counter Terrorism Working Group meeting, unequivocally condemning terrorism and agreeing on the urgent need to disrupt terror networks through sustained, comprehensive action.

Simultaneously, Indian and US counter-terrorism officials held a high-level bilateral meeting on December 3, focusing on tightening punitive measures under the UN sanctions regime. Led by Vinod Bahade, Joint Secretary for counter-terrorism in India’s Ministry of External Affairs, and Monica Jacobsen, Senior Bureau Official of the US State Department’s Bureau of Counterterrorism, both sides called for enhanced asset freezes, arms embargoes, and designations against Pakistan-based terror outfits Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), their proxies, and financiers.

The dialogue also sought additional global sanctions on ISIS and al-Qaeda affiliates, aiming to choke their operational capabilities. India praised the US for its recent designation of The Resistance Front (TRF)—a LeT proxy responsible for the deadly April 22 Pahalgam attack—as both a Foreign Terrorist Organization and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist entity.

Highlighting the vital role of multilateral cooperation, the joint statements from both meetings stressed ongoing efforts through the UN, Financial Action Task Force (FATF), and the Quad framework to disrupt terrorist networks globally.

The Quad partners also issued a unified call to bring to justice the perpetrators, organizers, and financiers behind recent terror attacks, including the chilling assault near Delhi’s Red Fort.

“The meetings reaffirmed that confronting terrorism requires a coordinated, multifaceted approach encompassing intelligence sharing, cybersecurity, law enforcement cooperation, and judicial collaboration,” the statement emphasized.

The Quad meeting featured senior diplomats including Australia’s Ambassador for Counter Terrorism Gemma Huggins and Japan’s Ambassador Minami Hiroyuki, who collectively assessed evolving terror threats in the Indo-Pacific and explored new strategies to maintain the region’s security and openness.

As the Indo-Pacific faces growing challenges from extremist groups exploiting technology and transnational networks, the Quad’s strengthened counter-terrorism partnership sends a powerful message: Terrorism will meet relentless resistance backed by international solidarity and decisive action.