Current Affairs Topics Archive
International Relations Economics Polity & Governance Environment & Ecology Science & Technology Internal Security Geography Social Issues Art & Culture Modern History

On terrorism, no double standards, no compromise: PM Modi in Malaysia

February 08, 2026 5 min read International Relations Internal Security GS2 (International Relations) GS3 (Internal Security)
On This Page ▼

What Happened

  • During his visit to Malaysia on February 8, 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared India's position on terrorism as "no double standards, no compromise," delivering a strong counter-terrorism message.
  • Modi and Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim issued a joint statement "unequivocally and strongly" condemning terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism, and called for "zero tolerance of terrorism."
  • The two leaders agreed to deepen cooperation in counter-terrorism, intelligence sharing, maritime security, countering radicalisation and violent extremism, and combating terror financing.
  • They also resolved to work towards preventing the use of new and emerging technologies for terrorist purposes.
  • The joint statement called for "concerted international efforts to combat terrorism," reflecting a shared position on multilateral counter-terrorism frameworks.

Static Topic Bridges

India's Counter-Terrorism Diplomacy and "No Double Standards" Doctrine

India has consistently advocated for a universal, non-discriminatory approach to combating terrorism, arguing that there should be no distinction between "good terrorists" and "bad terrorists." This position is rooted in India's experience with cross-border terrorism, particularly from Pakistan-based groups, and its frustration with perceived selective approaches by some countries. India has been pushing for the adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) at the United Nations since 1996.

  • CCIT: proposed by India in 1996 at the UNGA; aims to provide a comprehensive legal framework against all forms of terrorism; not yet adopted due to disagreements on definition of terrorism
  • Key Indian demands: universal definition of terrorism, no exceptions for "freedom fighters," criminalisation of terror financing and harbouring
  • India is a member of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), which sets global standards on anti-money laundering and combating terror financing
  • FATF grey list: Pakistan was on the FATF grey list from June 2018 to October 2022 for deficiencies in counter-terror financing
  • India ratified all 13 UN counter-terrorism conventions and protocols
  • India's National Investigation Agency (NIA): established 2008 under the NIA Act; central agency for investigating and prosecuting terrorism

Connection to this news: Modi's "no double standards" remark in Malaysia extends India's long-standing counter-terrorism doctrine to the Southeast Asian context. The joint statement's reference to "cross-border terrorism" and "zero tolerance" reflects India's success in aligning Malaysia with its position, particularly significant given Malaysia's large Muslim population and historical sensitivity to terrorism-related language.

International Counter-Terrorism Framework — UNSC Resolutions and Conventions

The UN counter-terrorism framework is built on multiple pillars: the 19 international legal instruments (conventions and protocols) against terrorism, UN Security Council resolutions (particularly Resolution 1373 of 2001), and the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (adopted by UNGA in 2006, reviewed biennially). UNSC Resolution 1267 (1999) established the sanctions regime against Al-Qaeda and later ISIL/Da'esh, while Resolution 1373 (2001) made it mandatory for all states to criminalise terrorist financing and freeze assets of terrorist entities.

  • UNSC Resolution 1267 (1999): established Al-Qaeda/Taliban sanctions committee; later expanded to include ISIL (Resolution 2253, 2015)
  • UNSC Resolution 1373 (2001): adopted after 9/11; mandates all states to criminalise terror financing, freeze terrorist assets, deny safe haven
  • Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC): established under UNSC Resolution 1373; supported by the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED)
  • UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy: adopted September 8, 2006 (A/RES/60/288); four pillars — addressing conditions conducive to terrorism, prevention, capacity building, human rights
  • Masood Azhar listed: In May 2019, UNSC designated Jaish-e-Mohammed founder Masood Azhar as a global terrorist under Resolution 1267, after China lifted its long-standing technical hold

Connection to this news: The India-Malaysia joint statement's call for "concerted international efforts" aligns with the multilateral counter-terrorism architecture. India's advocacy for zero tolerance and no double standards maps directly onto UNSC Resolution 1373's requirements and India's push for the CCIT.

India-Malaysia Security Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific

India and Malaysia share strategic interests in maritime security, particularly in the Malacca Strait and the broader Indo-Pacific. The two countries cooperate through bilateral mechanisms (Malaysia-India Defence Cooperation Committee) and multilateral platforms (ADMM-Plus, Indian Ocean Rim Association). The counter-terrorism cooperation announced during this visit builds on an existing framework of intelligence sharing and joint exercises.

  • Malacca Strait: approximately 800 km; one of the world's busiest shipping lanes; handles approximately 25% of global trade
  • India-Malaysia maritime cooperation: includes coordinated patrolling and information sharing on maritime domain awareness
  • Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA): 23 member states; India and Malaysia are founding members (established 1997)
  • ADMM-Plus: ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus; includes 10 ASEAN members and 8 dialogue partners (including India); focuses on counter-terrorism, maritime security, peacekeeping
  • Radicalisation concern: both countries face domestic challenges from IS-inspired radicalisation; IS-linked cells disrupted in both India and Malaysia in recent years
  • Malaysia-India Defence Cooperation Committee: regular mechanism for defence consultation at the senior official level

Connection to this news: The counter-terrorism and counter-radicalisation elements of the India-Malaysia partnership address both countries' shared concern about extremist networks operating in the Indo-Pacific. The agreement to prevent the use of new technologies for terrorist purposes reflects the evolving nature of the threat, including online radicalisation and cryptocurrency-based terror financing.

Key Facts & Data

  • India's CCIT proposal at UN: 1996; not yet adopted
  • UNSC Resolution 1267 (Al-Qaeda/Taliban sanctions): 1999
  • UNSC Resolution 1373 (mandatory counter-terrorism measures): 2001
  • UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy: adopted September 8, 2006
  • FATF: 39 member jurisdictions; India is a member; Pakistan was grey-listed from June 2018 to October 2022
  • NIA (National Investigation Agency): established 2008 under the NIA Act
  • India has ratified all 13 UN counter-terrorism conventions and protocols
  • Masood Azhar designated by UNSC 1267 Committee: May 2019
  • Malacca Strait: approximately 800 km; ~25% of global trade transits through it
  • IORA: 23 member states; India and Malaysia are founding members (established 1997)
  • Joint statement key terms: "zero tolerance," "cross-border terrorism," "no double standards, no compromise"