Countering Terrorism; Building a Common Approach in SAARC

01 Jun, 2010 · Edited by Maj. General Dipankar Banerjee(Retd.), D. Suba Chandran and Devyani Srivastava

This book is the result of a project on Countering Terrorism: Building a Common Approach in SAARC undertaken by the Consortium of South Asian Think Tanks (COSATT) led by IPCS in collaboration with the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS), 2009-2010. The project sought to evolve a common agenda among leading think tanks in SAARC on measures to counter terrorism in the region. The aim was to evaluate a regional approach to counter terrorism, identify processes and structures that can help realize the objective, and draw up a common plan of action based on broad set of unifying principles and interests.

The book provides an assessment of the nature of terrorist activity in the major SAARC countries including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal and India. It identifies the major issues and trends of terrorism as emerging in these countries with a focus on their cross border linkages and geo-strategic dynamics. This is accompanied by a critique of the existing mechanisms in the region to counter terrorism, both at a national and regional level followed by recommendations on strengthening the SAARC counter terrorism regime. Emphasis has been laid on drawing national perspectives on the subject by inviting views from each member country and holding a series of consultations before finalizing the recommendations.

The book is useful both as a reference point to scholars, academics and researchers interested in studying the regional counter terrorism efforts in South Asia as also for policy makers and government officials keen on strengthening the existing mechanisms.

Apart from the book, the project also resulted in the publication of a Policy Brief that lays down recommendations on strengthening the SAARC counter terrorism mechanism. The Brief was submitted to the External Affairs ministries of the SAARC member countries close to the 14nth SAARC summit held in April 2010 in Bhutan.

Contents

Preface

PERSPECTIVES FROM BANGLADESH
Major General Muniruzzaman, ndc,psc (Retd)

I.   Terrorism: The National Backdrop
II. Major Issues and Trends in Terrorism
III. Addressing Terrorism: A Critique of Existing Regional Mechanism
IV. Recommendations for SAARC
V.   Conclusions
      References

PERSPECTIVES FROM NEPAL
Nishchal N Pandey

PERSPECTIVES FROM INDIA
Dr D. Suba Chandran

PERSPECTIVES FROM PAKISTAN
Dr Rashid Ahmad Khan

I. Terrorism: The National Backdrop
II. Major Issues and Trends in Terrorism
III. Addressing Terrorism: A Critique of Existing Regional Mechanism
IV. Recommendations for SAARC
V. Conclusions
References

PERSPECTIVES FROM SRI LANKA
Porf. Amal Jayawardane

Contributors
Editors

Edited by Maj. General Dipankar Banerjee(Retd.), D. Suba Chandran and Devyani Srivastava
Macmillian Publisher India Ltd