The past year has been important for world politics in many respects. The world surrounded by the COVID crisis has seen many upheavals and gimmicks on the political platform. For the whole year, the focus of world politics was on the challenges arising out of COVID, China’s expansionist policy, intensifying efforts to deal with the climate crisis and then Afghanistan surrounded by the terrorist shadow of the Taliban. But last year, the event of Trump leaving and Joe Biden taking over the US presidency was much bigger.
There has been speculation about what issues Biden, who leans towards the left, will give prominence to his rule. What will be his stand on issues like terrorism and China, will he maintain dynamism or change policies regarding relations with India, an ally of America in every way?
Many scholars believed that Biden’s regime would be an extension of the Obama regime, as he was vice president during Obama’s government. But many experts also agreed that Biden may be different from Trump as a Democrat, but he will work with an understanding of America’s strategic objectives and priorities.
The tough stance he took on Syria soon after becoming president made it clear that Biden would pursue his nation’s policies and objectives as President of the United States.
In this one year it is clear that Biden is giving prominence to the defining elements and objectives of America’s foreign policy. In a year, he has not only strengthened America’s commitment to global efforts towards climate change, but he has also taken a tough stand on the issue of global terrorism. In this direction, positive dynamics is also visible in the already ongoing relations with India.
However, Biden was also heavily criticized for kneeling before the Taliban in Afghanistan and pulling out US forces. But in view of the direct role of China and Pakistan there, this decision of theirs can be considered as a compulsion of America.
During Obama’s presidency, he created a policy called ‘Anti-Terrorism Plus’, which focused on eliminating terrorists using aggressive air strikes and small groups of special US forces rather than traditional military deployments. This strategy was reflected in major operations against terrorist groups in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Africa and other countries.
Although such a military attack has not been seen in the past year under the leadership of Biden as president, but its possibility cannot be ruled out in the future.
Biden appears to be adopting a tough policy on the issue of terrorism. On June 15, 2021, he released the first National Strategy to Keep America’s Internal Security intact and Combat Domestic Terrorism, reflecting his efforts to respond to terrorism and violence within the country.
Recently there were also reports that Biden’s Justice Department is setting up its domestic terrorism unit to thwart domestic terrorism that has existed in America for years. On the other hand, he is giving a clear message to fight global terrorism from multinational strategic forums like Quad, United Nations and Aqs. They have implemented many agreements and common exercises with countries like India for the same purpose.
In talks with the US President during Prime Minister Narendra Modi‘s visit to America, both the leaders openly expressed their commitment to the war on terrorism and made many agreements. Then the eighteenth meeting of the ‘US-India Counter-Terrorism Joint Working Group’ and the fourth session of the ‘US-India Dialogue’ were held in Washington in October last year.
Both the US and India have strengthened cooperation on law enforcement, information sharing, technology exchange, and enhanced strategic cooperation on counter-terrorism challenges, reaffirming counter-terrorism cooperation as an important pillar of the Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership. was agreed upon.
Biden also reiterated his commitment to stand with India in the fight against terrorism. Both sides also called for strict action against the perpetrators of cross-border terrorism and Mumbai attack in India. It also reiterated its resolve to take concrete action against banned terrorist organizations such as Al Qaeda, IS, Daesh, Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish.
Biden is also a promoter of strong cyber security policies. They consider it necessary for both America and India. That is why joint work has also started between the two countries to develop signals and electronic intelligence systems.
The US already has an intelligence surveillance system that detects and shares information related to foreign communication systems, radar, and weapons systems with its government officials.
There are about thirteen agencies working in this which collect and analyze intelligence information. In India, however, the era of intelligence reforms seems to be beginning. India and the US resolved to challenge terrorism through technology in November 2019 by signing an important agreement like the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA).
Biden also appears to be taking it forward. Under Biden’s leadership, the US will provide India with communications technology, state-of-the-art equipment and real-time intelligence. The two countries also made it clear from the recent joint Malabar military exercise in the Arabian Sea that Biden is not going to be soft on the issue of terrorism.
Biden still faces challenges. Right now his priority is to get America out of the Corona crisis. Then, it is also necessary to rein in countries like Pakistan and China, apart from jihadi terrorist organizations like Taliban, IS and Al Qaeda, which are creating the crisis of global terrorism.
It remains to be seen how Biden deals with this. Apart from this, the capital and public support needed for technology and resources for various counter-terrorist operations also appear important to Biden.
Yet in this one year in the global war on terrorism, they have made multi-faceted efforts. They are taking steps to keep their country safe from domestic terrorism on the one hand, and on the other hand are seen cooperating with countries like India for global security.
Biden has clearly stated that he will cooperate with other countries globally to fight terrorism. In such a situation, it has to be said that America will continue to play an active role in the fight against terrorism under Biden’s regime.
(The writer is a teacher at School of International Studies, JNU)
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