On June 22 in New Delhi, Morocco and India broadened their collaborative efforts against terrorism, extending their focus to shadowy financial networks, the exploitation of technology by criminal syndicates, and the intricate ties between transnational organisations and armed groups. This second joint working group meeting on counterterrorism outlined a shared strategy built on intelligence sharing, institutional capacity-building, and unified action within major multilateral platforms.
The session was co-chaired by Vinod Bahade, Joint Secretary for Counterterrorism at India’s Ministry of External Affairs, and Hicham Baali, Head of the National Brigade of Judicial Police (BNPJ) under Morocco’s Directorate General of National Security (DGSN). Discussions centred on the evolving threats facing both nations, alongside the global spread of extremist ideologies, illicit financial flows, technical tools, and terrorist operatives.
The delegations issued a firm joint statement, unequivocally condemning terrorism in all its forms—including cross-border threats. They specifically denounced the April 22, 2025 attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, and the November 10, 2025 incident near New Delhi’s Red Fort.
tackling terror financing, radicalisation and digital threats
The talks addressed violent extremism, radicalisation pathways, terror financing mechanisms, and the misuse of technology for criminal purposes. The joint communiqué framed these exchanges as a joint assessment of current and emerging counterterrorism challenges, requiring deep analysis of recruitment tactics, financial sources, communication channels, and digital infrastructures exploited by clandestine networks.
A key focus was placed on the weaponisation of technology for terrorist ends, encompassing encrypted communication tools, online propaganda, fund transfers, and logistical arrangements that enable attack planning. While no specific systems were named, the issue was framed within a wider intelligence-sharing, prevention, and judicial response framework.
Morocco and India also examined the nexus between transnational organised crime and terrorism, covering funding streams, logistics networks, forged documents, smuggling routes, and border-crossing mechanisms that facilitate the movement of people, funds, and materials. Both sides stressed the need to disrupt these converging criminal pathways.
Additionally, the delegations explored the global movement of terrorists, referring to the transnational journeys of armed group members, returnees from conflict zones, and the risks posed by clandestine travel routes. The two governments agreed to harmonise their threat assessments to better track these movements and enhance information exchange between their competent agencies.
building stronger bilateral and multilateral counterterrorism systems
Discussions highlighted plans to deepen bilateral cooperation through enhanced information exchange, institutional capacity-building, and best-practice sharing. This collaborative approach integrates policing expertise, threat analysis, specialised training, and comparative evaluation of operational methods used in both countries.
The delegations reaffirmed their commitment to joint action within the United Nations, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), and the Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF). These platforms were identified as central to standardising financial controls, preventing violent extremism, strengthening judicial cooperation, and fostering cross-border experience sharing.
Both nations also agreed to hold the next joint working group meeting in Morocco, with the date to be set by mutual consensus. This third session will continue to analyse regional and global threats, translating the New Delhi outcomes into tighter bilateral mechanisms and actionable measures.
