New Delhi to host first ever EU-India roundtable on combating terrorist exploitation of drones

This Thursday in New Delhi will mark the inaugural Track 1.5 dialogue between the European Union (EU) and India with the aim of combating the use of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) by non-state actors and extremists. In particular, the day-long EU-India roundtable aims to shed light on the variety of present and emerging threats associated with consumer-grade unmanned aerial systems (UAS) technology. According to a press release, speakers from the EU and India will also go over best practices for legal, tactical, and investigative approaches to dealing with UAS threats in their respective countries.

Recent years have seen a rapid development in commercial unmanned aerial systems (UAS), both in terms of technological sophistication and consumer availability. These affordable, versatile gadgets have been used by violent extremists for a variety of violent and reconnaissance-related activities.

Enhancing Security Cooperation In and With Asia (ESIWA) is an EU project that builds on recent counterterrorism engagements between India and the EU, including this roundtable. The release also stated that successful CBRN risk management training for Indian security practitioners and moderated expert discussions on countering online extremism have been conducted in the field of counterterrorism and preventing violent extremism (CT-PVE).

“Security and terrorist threats are increasingly of an hybrid nature. The use of commercial drones is a case in point. If a relatively cheap device can carry and fly a pizza or biryani, then clearly, they can also be used for carrying more nefarious payloads, such as weapons or explosives” EU Ambassador to India Herve Delphin said.

“Sharing knowledge and experiences between us, the EU and India, is highly relevant and crucial to counter drones’ threats that we each face, in this rapidly evolving field. This seminar testifies to EU and India’s general joint commitment to intensify dialogue and cooperation on security issues,” he added.

Terrorist groups and lone violent extremists have used “off-the-shelf” drones throughout the world, seizing the chance to take advantage of these comparatively cheap and versatile weapons. Threat assessments and mitigation strategies are new and ongoing due to the rapid rise of this phenomenon and the evolving technologies involved. In order to ensure our security and defense, it is crucial that peers share information with one another.