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India and the European Union convened the 15th Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism in Brussels on September 9, sending a strong signal of strategic alignment in the wake of the recent Pahalgam terror attack. The timing – days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call with EU leadership – underscored the urgency both sides attach to coordinated global action against terrorism.
The meeting, co-chaired by Maciej Stadejek, Director for Security and Defence Policy at the European External Action Service, and K.D. Dewal, Joint Secretary for Counter-Terrorism in India’s Ministry of External Affairs, focused on sharpening joint responses to the shifting threat landscape.
A central point of discussion was the April 22 attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, where civilians were targeted. The EU issued a strong condemnation, extending condolences and standing in solidarity with India. By explicitly backing India’s call to combat cross-border terrorism, the EU’s stance reflects growing impatience in Europe with state-backed terror safe havens – a veiled reference to Pakistan’s role in sponsoring violence in the region.
Both sides emphasised the need for stronger international mechanisms to dismantle terror networks, enhance information sharing, and apply sustained pressure through institutions such as the UN, the Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF), and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). The discussions also covered terror financing, online radicalisation, the designation of terrorist individuals and entities, and the dual-use risks of emerging technologies.
The dialogue followed closely on Prime Minister Modi’s September 4 call with European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, during which terrorism and regional security featured prominently alongside trade, defence, and technology cooperation. The sequencing highlights how counter-terrorism is fast emerging as a core pillar of India-EU strategic convergence.
With terror threats intersecting with geopolitical rivalries, the Brussels meeting reinforced a shared understanding: democratic partners like India and the EU cannot afford ambiguity in tackling terrorism. The agreement to hold the next round in New Delhi underlines that this partnership is not symbolic but operational – and increasingly geopolitical.
As global power blocs harden, the India-EU push for tougher, coordinated action against cross-border terrorism represents a clear strategic message: states that enable or export terror will face growing diplomatic isolation.
Team BharatShakti
