New Delhi: The Ambassador of Israel to India, Reuven Azar, has underlined the need for stronger counterterrorism cooperation in the wake of the growing presence and influence of Hamas in South Asia, particularly after the October 7 attacks.
The Ambassador spoke at a panel discussion organised by the Usanas Foundation after it released a report, “The Hamas Pakistan Nexus: Examining Networks, Operations, and Strategic Convergence in South Asia.” The discussion brought together leading experts and officials to examine the expanding operational, ideological and strategic linkages between Hamas and Pakistan based terrorist networks and their implications for security in South Asia and West Asia.
The report revealed Hamas’ growing footprint in Pakistan and South Asia through public rallies, alliances with local militant groups and the exploitation of Kashmir Palestine solidarity narratives.
Hamas leaders, including Naji Zaheer and Khaled Qaddoumi, have openly addressed gatherings, including in Pakistan occupied Kashmir, while forging ideological ties with groups such as Jaish e Mohammed and Lashkar e Taiba.
Azar, in his keynote address, highlighted the report’s value in improving understanding of the convergence between terror groups in South Asia and West Asia. He noted that the October 7 attacks had increased Hamas’ influence and appeal among terrorist circles and stressed the importance of stronger counterterrorism cooperation between India and Israel.
Lt. Gen. Raj Shukla, in his special remarks, described the Hamas Pakistan nexus as a serious and emerging threat. He underscored Pakistan’s long standing use of terrorism as an instrument of statecraft and noted the rapid integration of advanced drone and missile capabilities into its terrorist toolkit.
He highlighted the adoption of tunnel warfare and drone strikes as evolving tactics, alongside constitutional changes that have strengthened the Pakistani Army’s control over nuclear and missile forces.
He stressed the urgent need for India and Israel to deepen joint counterterrorism frameworks, including enhanced intelligence sharing, surveillance cooperation and technological collaboration. He also pointed to the growing significance of China’s BeiDou 3 satellite system in the region and its implications for India’s strategic and technological preparedness.
Lt. Gen. Shukla called for the immediate operationalisation of space and silent surveillance commands; the development of a dedicated drone missile force capable of stand off precision strikes; and sustained investment in space, cyber and persistent Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities.
Col. Miri Eisin provided a forward looking assessment of West Asia, noting Israel’s multi front engagements and the sophisticated hybrid nature of Hamas as a terror state actor employing extensive underground networks and urban warfare. She examined Hamas’ legitimisation and dehumanisation tactics, including links with mainstream religious institutions and the use of liberal democratic rhetoric in English language materials, which complicate counterterrorism efforts.
Col. Miri highlighted the danger of Hamas’ legitimisation in countries such as Pakistan and Malaysia, which alters perceptions and recruitment dynamics. The potential transfer of operational knowledge, particularly tunnel warfare tactics, between Hamas and South Asian terrorists was flagged as a critical concern.
Michael Barak elaborated on Hamas’ efforts to cultivate relationships with global Islamist networks, including the Muslim Brotherhood, and its use of Kashmir as a unifying symbol.
He detailed Hamas’ narrative dissemination and soft power ecosystem building globally. Barak pointed to Turkey’s role in facilitating connections between Hamas and Islamist groups in South Asia.
He warned of a broader transnational Sunni Islamist axis, with Turkey playing a facilitating role, and the possible emergence of a transnational “Islam East” bloc combining Pakistan, Bangladesh, Libya and Somalia, which poses challenges beyond the Middle East, including South Asia and Africa, necessitating international cooperation to address these transnational Islamist networks.
Abhinav Pandya, founder of Usanas Foundation, outlined broader strategic implications for India–Israel cooperation, including greater engagement across the Middle East and South Caucasus and stronger coordination across strategic, military and intelligence domains.
The discussion concluded with an emphasis on strengthening international cooperation, intelligence sharing and counterterrorism preparedness to address the increasingly transnational nature of terrorist networks and their evolving narratives and operational capabilities.
(IANS)
