Crossing Borders: South Asia Revives Counter-terrorism Co-operation

Bibhu Prasad Routray

Jane's Intelligence Review, January 2014, page:28-33

Key Points

• Despite numerous international declarations, no coherent multilateral counter-terrorism framework exists in South Asia, with bilateral ad hoc co-operation being the only effective mechanism.
• China has successfully institutionalised counter-terrorism co-operation in South Asia by signing partnerships and strategic agreements with all of the major countries with which it shares international borders.
• Despite counter-terrorism exercises between the special forces of regional countries increasing in number and frequency, a vacuum in the form of inadequate multilateral co-operation will continue to be a reality.