India and Italy have once again condemned the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, that claimed 26 lives on 22 April 2025, reaffirming their commitment to stronger cooperation against terrorism, organised crime and terror financing during high-level meetings held in New Delhi.

The discussions took place during the sixth meeting of the India-Italy Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism and Organised Crime on 6 October and the second meeting of the India-Italy Permanent Task Force on Countering Financing of Terrorism on 7 October.

The meetings were co-chaired by Suhel Ajaz Khan, Additional Secretary for Counter Terrorism at India’s Ministry of External Affairs, and Paolo Mari, Joint Secretary for G7-G20, Transnational Threats and Integrated Strategy at Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

Counter-terrorism agencies from both countries participated in the deliberations.

Both sides strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism, and reiterated their condemnation of the Pahalgam attack, which targeted civilians and became one of the deadliest terror incidents in Jammu and Kashmir in recent years.

India and Italy reviewed cooperation across a broad range of counter-terrorism and organised crime issues. Discussions covered drug trafficking networks, emerging regional and global terrorist threats, and the growing security challenges posed by rapidly evolving technologies.

The two countries emphasised the need to prevent terrorists from exploiting information, communication and financial technologies, while also exploring ways to enhance intelligence sharing, capacity-building initiatives and operational cooperation to address emerging and non-traditional security threats.

The Permanent Task Force meeting focused specifically on strengthening collaboration against terrorism financing under the India-Italy Joint Initiative on Countering Financing of Terrorism, a framework designed to deepen bilateral cooperation in tracking and disrupting terror funding networks.

New Delhi and Rome also exchanged views on expanding multilateral cooperation through international platforms, including the United Nations, the Global Counterterrorism Forum and the Financial Action Task Force, recognising the importance of coordinated global action against terrorism and organised crime.

The meetings took place against the backdrop of India’s intensified counter-terrorism efforts following the Pahalgam attack. In response to the killings, India launched Operation Sindoor, targeting terrorist infrastructure and training facilities in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

Following heightened military tensions, India also carried out strikes against Pakistani airbases, after which a ceasefire was sought. Subsequently, all three terrorists linked to the Pahalgam attack were eliminated in Operation Mahadev, conducted jointly by the Indian Army, the Central Reserve Police Force and Jammu and Kashmir Police.

Both countries agreed to continue their close cooperation and hold the next meetings of the Joint Working Group and the Permanent Task Force in Rome on mutually agreed dates.

ANI