Building a Stronger International Mechanism to Combat Terrorism

In an increasingly divided world, few topics ignite as much passion and debate as terrorism.

- RK Raghavan

The subject is intensely discussed in many academic forums but seldom conclusively.

Very often, the debate becomes an exercise at lambasting an incumbent government or a law enforcement agency, as if an administrative machinery can, by itself, resolve this ever-burgeoning problem.

The complexity of the issue and its various irritants were recently exhibited during the stand-off between India and Canada over the latter harboring some elements bent upon a break-up of our country.

Ottawa's unconcealed reluctance to act according to agreements between the two countries reflects a disturbing trend in international politics: The selective definition and tolerance of terrorism, often shaped by political expediency.

"One man's terrorist is another's freedom fighter," an infamous adage goes. While this phrase is often invoked to justify or rationalize acts of terror, it dangerously oversimplifies the brutal reality that terrorists, regardless of their cause, inflict immense collateral damage on innocent lives.