New Delhi : Secretary (West) Ambassador Sibi George chaired briefing sessions on September 7–8 for Resident Ambassadors and diplomats on India’s counter-terrorism strategy, with a focus on the country’s comprehensive National Counter-Terrorism Policy and Strategy, PRAHAAR.
Unveiled on February 23, 2026, PRAHAAR provides India with its first comprehensive national framework for preventing and responding to terrorism and radicalisation. The strategy is based on a “zero tolerance” approach to terrorism and seeks to bring together national capabilities through coordinated whole-of-government and whole-of-society approaches. (Ministry of External Affairs)
The strategy rests on seven key pillars:
- Prevention of terror attacks to protect Indian citizens and national interests.
- Swift and proportionate response to terrorist threats.
- Whole-of-government coordination by bringing together internal capabilities and agencies.
- Protection of human rights and the Rule of Law in counter-terrorism processes.
- Addressing conditions conducive to terrorism, including radicalisation.
- Strengthening and shaping international cooperation against terrorism.
- Promoting recovery and resilience through a whole-of-society approach. (Ministry of External Affairs)
PRAHAAR also places emphasis on an intelligence-led and proactive approach, including real-time information sharing through the Multi Agency Centre (MAC), protection of critical infrastructure, coordinated responses involving State police and specialised central forces, and greater use of technology in counter-terrorism operations. (Press Information Bureau)
The framework also addresses emerging dimensions of the terrorist threat, including terror financing, cryptocurrencies, the dark web, online radicalisation and extremist propaganda. It envisages stronger action to trace financial networks, disrupt illicit funding and use international mechanisms, including FATF standards, to combat terrorist financing. (Press Information Bureau)
The government has described PRAHAAR as a formal codification of India’s evolving counter-terrorism architecture, bringing together legislative measures, institutional capabilities, intelligence coordination, operational preparedness and international diplomatic cooperation into a unified national strategy. (Press Information Bureau)
The briefing for resident ambassadors and diplomats therefore provides the international diplomatic community with an overview of India’s approach to combating terrorism, including its emphasis on prevention, coordinated response, international cooperation and resilience.