Hamas Officially Classified as Terrorist Organization by Army Chief Upendra Dwivedi
In a significant development, India's Army Chief, General Upendra Dwivedi, has publicly identified Hamas as a terrorist organization. This marks the first time an Indian Army chief has made such a statement, signalling a potential recalibration in India's security posture and threat perception.
However, it's important to note that this public declaration does not equate to an official governmental or legal designation by India. India has so far avoided officially listing Hamas as a terrorist group, despite the Western bloc, including the US, UK, and EU, already designating Hamas as a terrorist entity.
The Army Chief's statement comes amidst concerns about the presence of Hamas in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) alongside other Pakistan-backed terror outfits. Images and videos on social media from earlier this year showed Hamas members alongside LeT and Jaish-e-Mohammed, causing alarm within New Delhi's security establishment.
The individuals in the social media posts were delivering anti-India speeches and proclaimed that Kashmir would be "snatched from India." This development, while Hamas has historically not interfered in the Kashmir conflict, is a new development that has raised eyebrows in Indian security circles.
The Army Chief named Hamas among terrorist organizations that India is concerned about, alongside Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and The Resistance Front (TRF). This attack triggered the devastating Gaza war in 2023, claiming over 60,000 lives, including thousands of children.
Despite Israel's urgent calls for India to officially list Hamas as a terrorist group ahead of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, New Delhi has maintained its distance from the Hamas designation, possibly due to geopolitical balancing in West Asia.
In conclusion, while the Indian Army Chief's public statement signals concern and a shift in discourse regarding Hamas, India has not formally or officially designated Hamas as a terrorist organization following his statement. It remains to be seen how this development will impact India's counter-terrorism strategy and its relations with various global actors.
[1] References: Official statements from the Indian government and international organisations.
The Army Chief's statement has sparked discussions in general news and political circles regarding India's stance on war-and-conflicts, especially concerning Hamas. Meanwhile, concerns about the presence of Hamas in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and its alleged connections with crime-and-justice entities like LeT and Jaish-e-Mohammed have led to speculation about the possible recalibration of India's counter-terrorism strategy. Despite the Army Chief's recent statement, India has not officially or formally designated Hamas as a terrorist organization.
