The European Union organized a technical workshop in New Delhi focused on preventing and countering violent extremism, gathering experts from Indian and EU security agencies. The discussions emphasized the need for collective approaches to counterterrorism, including de-radicalization and rehabilitation strategies. This initiative aims to strengthen EU-India partnership in addressing evolving global security threats.
On Wednesday, the European Union (EU) convened a technical workshop in New Delhi aimed at preventing and countering violent extremism, attended by counterterrorism officials from India and EU member states. This event occurred alongside the Raisina Dialogue, centering on comprehensive government strategies in combating extremism, risk assessments, and methods for reintegrating former extremists. Participants highlighted the necessity for continued collaboration on both soft and hard counterterrorism security measures, as indicated by an EU statement.
The workshop featured specialists from counterterrorism and security agencies across India and the EU, promoting the exchange of best practices in prevention, de-radicalization, and rehabilitation. This gathering served as a follow-up to the recent European College of Commissioners’ visit to India, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized the importance of enhancing cooperation in counter-terrorism efforts, highlighting the need for a partnership focused on security and defense against terrorism and terror financing.
The event commenced with remarks from EU Ambassador Hervé Delphin, accompanied by a delegation that included security professionals from several EU member states: Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, and the Netherlands. Former National Investigation Agency (NIA) Director General Dinkar Gupta stated, “India and the EU face evolving security threats that require innovative and collaborative solutions. Learning from each other’s experiences will help us build more effective strategies for deradicalisation, rehabilitation, and long-term prevention.”
Maciej Stadejek, the director for security and defense policy at the European External Action Service, commented, “This workshop is a testament to the deepening EU-India partnership in counterterrorism and security cooperation. By sharing expertise and fostering dialogue, we are strengthening our collective ability to prevent and counter violent extremism while upholding democratic values and human rights.”
Aligned with the EU’s Indo-Pacific strategy, the workshop built on ongoing EU-India counter-terrorism initiatives under the ESIWA+ project, which focuses on security cooperation within Asia and the Indo-Pacific region. This includes risk management training for Indian security personnel and strategies against online and drone terrorism. Since the first joint workshop on online terrorism held in February 2022, the counter-terrorism dialogue has been prioritized, particularly regarding the regulation of terrorist online content, reaffirming its importance during the latest discussions.
The recent EU workshop in New Delhi exemplifies the growing collaboration between India and the EU in the fight against violent extremism. With a focus on collective strategies for prevention, de-radicalization, and rehabilitation, both parties are committed to enhancing their security cooperation. Such initiatives underscore the urgency of addressing evolving security threats through shared experiences and expertise to uphold democratic values and human rights.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
