A Threat That Touches Every Life: Major General Kulvir Singh Calls For United Global Front Against Terrorism
Major General Singh noted that counter-terrorism is not merely a technical or military issue. It is a matter that touches the lives of every citizen. Image courtesy: X.com/@artrac_ia
In a hall filled with military leaders and defence planners from across the Asia-Pacific, Major General Kulvir Singh’s message was stark and unmistakable as he said that terrorism is no longer a distant battlefield problem, but a lived reality shaping nations, societies and futures.
Speaking at the 16th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) Experts Working Group on Counter-Terrorism in New Delhi on Wednesday (January 14, 2025), the Commander of India’s Counter Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School (CIJWS) laid out why collective action has become unavoidable.
Why counter-terrorism can no longer be fought alone
Addressing the delegates, Major General Singh described terrorism as a challenge that cuts far deeper than military tactics or intelligence operations. “Counter-terrorism is not merely a technical or military issue. It touches the lives of every citizen, the stability of our societies and the future of our region,” he said, setting the tone for the deliberations.
Pointing to the evolving nature of the threat, he went on to add that terrorism has adapted rapidly over the past two decades, as it is now crossing borders, exploiting technology and targeting civilians with increasing frequency.
With this, Major General Singh also underlined the scale of the crisis with sobering figures. Over the last 20 years, terrorism has claimed more than 4 lakh lives worldwide, he said, adding that only 64 countries today remain untouched by its impact. “These numbers are not statistics alone—they are a warning,” he told participants.
ADMM-Plus: A pillar of regional security
Against this backdrop, the Indian Army officer highlighted the growing importance of the ADMM-Plus framework, co-chaired by India and Malaysia, calling it a strong pillar of multilateral defence cooperation in the Asia-Pacific.
“The seriousness with which nations have come together on this platform reflects a shared understanding that terrorism must be confronted collectively,” he said, describing the forum as essential for building trust, interoperability and shared responses.
India to host live counter-terror drill FTX
On the sidelines of the meeting, Major General Singh outlined how discussions would translate into real-world action. This year, Malaysia will host the final planning conference for a Table Top Exercise (TTX), where participating countries will study and compare counter-terrorism procedures and operational practices.
The lessons from the TTX will then feed into a full-scale Field Training Exercise (FTX) scheduled to be held in India next year, at Mizoram’s Counter Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School—one of the region’s premier training hubs. “This is where theory meets terrain,” he said, explaining that the exercises are designed to test coordination, response time and operational compatibility in realistic scenarios.
Towards a common ASEAN counter-terror framework
A key outcome of the process, Major General Singh said, will be the release of a comprehensive booklet compiling best practices from all participating nations. The document aims to help countries learn from each other’s experiences and move towards a common ASEAN Counter-Terrorism (ACTT) protocol.
“Once we align on common frameworks and protocols, we can progress with far greater clarity and effectiveness,” he said.
