On June 22 in New Delhi, Morocco and India expanded their joint efforts to combat terrorism by addressing critical areas such as illicit financial networks, the misuse of technology, and the convergence between transnational crime and armed groups. The second meeting of the Morocco-India joint counter-terrorism working group established a shared framework focused on information exchange, institutional capacity-building, and alignment within key multilateral platforms.
The session was co-led by Vinod Bahade, Joint Secretary for Counter-Terrorism at India’s Ministry of External Affairs, and Hicham Baali, Head of the National Brigade of Judicial Police (BNPJ) under the General Directorate of National Security (DGSN). Discussions centered on the security challenges facing both regions, including the global spread of extremist ideologies, illegal financial flows, technical resources, and the movement of terrorist operatives.
In a joint statement, the delegations «unequivocally condemned terrorism in all its forms, including cross-border threats». They also denounced two recent attacks: the April 22, 2025 incident in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, and the November 10, 2025 assault near Delhi’s Red Fort.
tackling terrorism financing, radicalization, and technological exploitation
The talks covered violent extremism, radicalization pathways, terrorism financing, and the weaponization of technology for criminal purposes. The communiqué framed these exchanges as a joint assessment of «current and emerging challenges in counter-terrorism», emphasizing the need to analyze recruitment patterns, funding sources, communication channels, and digital infrastructures exploited by clandestine networks.
A key focus was placed on «the use of technology for terrorist purposes», encompassing encrypted communications, online propaganda, illicit fund transfers, and digital tools that enable attack planning. While no specific tools were disclosed, the framework ties this effort to enhanced intelligence sharing, preventive measures, and judicial responses.
The delegations also examined the «nexus between transnational organized crime and terrorism», which spans funding streams, logistics networks, forged documents, smuggling routes, and border-crossing mechanisms that enable terrorist groups to move personnel, funds, and equipment across borders.
Another priority was the «global movement of terrorists», referring to the international travel of armed group members, returnees from conflict zones, and the risks posed by clandestine travel routes. Both countries agreed to align their assessments to better track these movements and streamline information sharing between their competent agencies.
strengthening bilateral and multilateral collaboration
Morocco and India explored ways to «enhance bilateral counter-terrorism cooperation through information exchange, capacity-building, and best practice sharing». This approach integrates law enforcement expertise, threat analysis, specialized training, and comparative methodological insights from both nations.
The delegations reaffirmed their commitment to joint action within the United Nations (UN), the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), and the Global Counter-Terrorism Forum (GCTF). The statement underscored the role of these platforms in setting financial standards, preventing violent extremism, facilitating judicial cooperation, and fostering state-to-state experience sharing.
Additionally, the two governments agreed to hold the next joint working group meeting in Morocco at a mutually agreed date. This third session will continue evaluating regional and global threats while translating the New Delhi commitments into tighter bilateral mechanisms.