Cross-Border Terrorism (CBT) and Its Impact on Regional Security and Stability of South Asia

Terrorism cases across the borders have remained a protracted issue in South Asia which has triggered tension and conflict all over the region. The phenomenon where groups that do not form part of an organized state apparatus carry out operations that target other nations with or without the support of an actual state severely erodes regional security. Perhaps one of the most compelling instances of how CBT has fostered conflict in the recent decades is South Asia given the historical, political, and socio-economic realities of this region. This paper aims to discuss the issue of cross border terrorism in relation to regional security and security stability in South Asia.

The origins of cross-border terrorism in South Asia can be analyzed in the context of the postcolonial history of the subcontinent, which was partitioned from Britain in 1947, and constituted the modern states of India and Pakistan. Initially, the partition of India created bitter seeds of bitterness and disagreement between the two, especially over the territory of Kashmir. This territorial dispute has provided a favorable climate for militants, who have enjoyed the support of local state structures at least indirectly, to carry out terrorist attacks across borders.

Terrorism that has influence over the territory of the neighboring countries is the main problem of South Asia rivalry between India and Pakistan. According to Indian claim, Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) which has ties with the Pakistani state and is known to have conducted attacks on Indian soil has been a cause of concern for India. The 2008 Mumbai attacks by LeT group which attacked more than 160 innocent people brought into the limelight the serious menace of cross-border terrorism.

The conflict in Afghanistan has only stretched for a long time making the security situation worse in the region. Due to the non-existent boarders between Afghanistan and Pakistan those groups have been able to move from one country to the other while conducting operations to perpetrate terror attacks in both countries and other neighboring states. Crossing these borders, the Taliban, the Haqqani Network, and recently ISIS-K have been working towards destabilizing the area. Not only do these groups’ actions pose great risk to the overall security of Afghanistan but also to the regional stability of the countries such as India and Pakistan.

Implications on Regional Security

Terrorism across the borders has affected the military planning and policies of almost all the South Asian nations. Thus, India and Pakistan in particular exercise an active arms race and are rapidly improving both conventional and nuclear potentials. Such a delicate distribution of power leads to a rather unstable security situation, in which the threat of an increase in tension after a terrorist attack persists. For instance, an attack by JeM in Pulwama in February 2019 in which 40 Indian paramilitary forces were killed escalated a very tense military situation between India and Pakistan, including airstrikes on both sides of the border.

The cross-border terrorism continues to pose a great threat in that it greatly affects diplomacy and cooperation in the region. Efforts have been made to form regional grouping such as the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) however, most of these initiatives are impaired by mutual distrust and allegations of sponsorship of terrorism. Terrorism hinders diplomatic relations for instance when India boycotted the 2016 South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)century of summit in Islamabad due to the Uri attack. These aspects of non-reciprocation go beyond the bilateral level and touch upon regional cooperation in the sphere of trade, environmental conservation, and public health.

CBT also leads to internal insecurity and social instabilities within the nation. Terror attacks in India has led to enforcement of rigorous security checks and restriction of civil liberties. A deadly case of internal terrorism was witnessed in December 2014 when the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) entered the Army Public School in Peshawar and killed more than 140 children.

Terrorism conducted across international borders has enormous consequences on social, economic, and politics in South Asia, especially on players such as India and Pakistan. In India, attacks particularly in Mumbai pull the breaks on different parts of the economy and detracts from development projects whereas in Pakistan terrorism slows down foreign investment and derails the economy and public resources. In terms of politics, terrorism consolidates nationalism and exacerbates the division between the two nations, India and Pakistan; the latter is destabilized by tensions between the military, political, and militant factions, augmented by the employment of proxy organizations. By so doing, terrorism exacerbates social polarization and fosters anti-Muslim sentiments in India and consequently, terrorist activities reduce public support towards militancy in Pakistan, resulting to high levels of terrorism and extremism hence, eradicating social harmony and peace initiatives in the two nations negatively.

Critique of Current Approaches

Current approaches and actions taken in order to prevent cross border terrorism are only semi adequate as they are mostly used in response and do not envision long-term actions. Governments use military power and instruments to combat terrorism, without paying attention to social, economic and political conditions that breed terrorism. Also, counter-terrorism cooperation is often fake where states employ terrorism for their political objectives making the fight against terrorism difficult. Militarism is one aspect of peacemaking analysis which shows that mere military solutions without addressing factors such as hopelessness, oppression, and propaganda cannot suffice. Counter terrorism, therefore, must go beyond mere need to prevent attacks but also the socio-economic, political and psychological issues that contribute to the problem and the need for genuine international cooperation rather than geopolitical games.

International cooperation is needed in intelligence gathering, strengthening border controls, sharing on extradition and prosecution of terrorists. Politics should address these political realms exploited by terrorists through diplomacy with the aim of negotiating. Tackling socio-economic factors is a subtle process that includes education, employment, and improving the welfare of the community. International organizations and the influential powers have to prevent the escalation of the inter- and intra-state tensions and conflicts in the given region to contribute to the consistent and comprehensive counter-terrorism approach.

Terrorism conducted across borders is one of the major threats facing the overall security of the South Asian region in the present and near future. It has devastating effects not only on the direct victims but the entire social, political and economic landscape of the targeted region. Thus, it is incumbent upon the states and other players on the global theatre to rise above parochial self-interests and effectively cooperate for the stability and security of South Asia.