Convergence of Terror: Experts Warn of Growing Hamas Threat in South Asia

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The Growing Hamas Threat in South Asia

The convergence of terror groups in South Asia and West Asia has become a pressing concern for regional security. Hamas, a Palestinian Islamist group, has been expanding its influence in the region, particularly after the October 7 attacks. Experts warn that India and Israel must strengthen their counterterrorism cooperation to counter this emerging threat.

The Hamas-Pakistan nexus has been a subject of growing concern, with the two entities forging ideological ties and operational links. Hamas leaders, including Naji Zaheer and Khaled Qaddoumi, have openly addressed gatherings in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, while forging alliances with local militant groups. The exploitation of Kashmir-Palestine solidarity narratives has also enabled Hamas to spread its influence in the region.

A Serious and Emerging Threat

Lt. Gen. Raj Shukla, a prominent expert on counterterrorism, has described the Hamas-Pakistan nexus as a serious and emerging threat. He highlighted Pakistan's long-standing use of terrorism as an instrument of statecraft and the rapid integration of advanced drone and missile capabilities into its terrorist toolkit. The adoption of tunnel warfare and drone strikes has also become a hallmark of Pakistan's counterterrorism strategy.

Shukla emphasized 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.

The Need for Stronger Counterterrorism Cooperation

Col. Miri Eisin, a renowned expert on counterterrorism, highlighted the danger of Hamas' legitimisation in countries such as Pakistan and Malaysia. She examined Hamas' legitimisation and dehumanisation tactics, including links with mainstream religious institutions and the use of liberal democratic rhetoric in English language materials. 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. He detailed Hamas' narrative dissemination and soft power ecosystem building globally, with Turkey playing a facilitating role. The possible emergence of a transnational "Islam East" bloc combining Pakistan, Bangladesh, Libya, and Somalia was also flagged as a challenge beyond the Middle East.

International Cooperation and Counterterrorism Preparedness

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. Abhinav Pandya, the 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.

In the face of this emerging threat, India and Israel must deepen their joint counterterrorism frameworks and enhance their intelligence sharing and surveillance cooperation. The stakes are high, and the clock is ticking. It is imperative that regional and international actors work together to counter the growing Hamas threat in South Asia and prevent the convergence of terror groups in the region.