India and France have reaffirmed their resolve to intensify cooperation in combating terrorism, extremism and radicalisation, with both sides stressing the urgency of tackling emerging threats from state sponsorship, online propaganda and new technologies.
The resolve was outlined at a meeting of the India-France Joint Working Group (JWG) on Counter-Terrorism, which convened in Paris on Thursday. The discussions were led by K D Dewal, Joint Secretary (Counter-Terrorism) at the Ministry of External Affairs, and Olivier Caron, French Counter-Terrorism Ambassador.
In a statement released after the talks, the Ministry of External Affairs said, “Both sides condemned the dastardly terrorist attack on innocent civilians on April 22 in Pahalgam.” The attack, which drew nationwide outrage, was a focal point in shaping the shared urgency of joint counter-terror measures.
Beyond the condemnation, the dialogue reflected an effort to go beyond episodic responses towards building a long-term, structured cooperation framework. The two sides exchanged detailed assessments of terror threats in their respective regions, including state-sponsored cross-border terrorism, terrorist networks operating across South Asia, and the destabilising activities of extremist groups in the Middle East.
The Indian side is understood to have shared its concern over continued cross-border infiltration and the use of proxies by Pakistan-based groups. France, with its own experience of homegrown radicalisation and attacks in Europe, highlighted the dangers of digital propaganda, the misuse of social media, and online recruitment by transnational terrorist outfits.
Tackling radicalisation and technology misuse
The JWG stressed that combating extremism and radicalisation remained as critical as tackling physical acts of terror. Both sides agreed that the fight against terrorism must extend to the virtual sphere, where extremist narratives, fake news and targeted disinformation continue to spread rapidly.
The discussions also focused on the increasing use of new technologies, including encrypted platforms and drones, by terror groups. India and France assessed possible areas for collaboration in technological solutions, intelligence-sharing, and joint training modules to deal with these threats.
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The dialogue also emphasised the importance of collective action at multilateral institutions. Both India and France agreed to strengthen cooperation at the United Nations, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and under the No Money for Terror (NMFT) initiative.
The two sides noted that financing of terrorism remained a core challenge, with illicit flows often finding routes through global financial systems. Enhanced cooperation in information exchange and regulatory frameworks was highlighted as a key priority.
Expanding the counter-terror framework
The JWG further discussed the possibility of expanding the counter-terrorism agenda to cover organised crime and cybercrime, which are increasingly linked to terror financing and operations. There was also agreement on intensifying capacity-building measures through joint training exercises, sharing of best practices, and strengthening institutional linkages.
The Paris meeting was also an occasion to review past cooperation and set a roadmap for the coming years. Both delegations underlined that their cooperation was not limited to national security alone but tied to the broader stability of regions stretching from the Indo-Pacific to West Asia.
For India and France, counter-terror cooperation has been an enduring strand of their strategic partnership. The Paris dialogue reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms remains a common threat, demanding collective responses that transcend geography.
As the MEA underlined, the two nations will continue to broaden the scope of their cooperation, ensuring that efforts against extremism, radicalisation and terror financing remain aligned with the rapidly evolving threat landscape.
The meeting concluded with both sides pledging to maintain regular exchanges at the official and institutional levels, signalling a commitment to deepen their counter-terror partnership in both bilateral and multilateral arenas.
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