The 3rd Quad Counterterrorism Working Group (CTWG) meeting, held in New Delhi in December 2025, underscored a deepening, albeit complex, security partnership between India, Japan, Australia, and the United States amidst a rapidly evolving global counterterrorism landscape. This iteration of the CTWG, established during the 2023 Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, represents a crucial, if somewhat reactive, element of the broader Quad security architecture. The event’s significance stems not merely from the reaffirmation of existing commitments but from the demonstrated willingness of these nations to address increasingly sophisticated and decentralized terrorist threats in the Indo-Pacific region – a region demonstrably under pressure from multiple extremist actors.
The context for this CTWG meeting is rooted in a significant shift in counterterrorism strategy over the past decade. Following the formal end of the ‘War on Terror’ in 2011, many initially believed the most acute terrorist threats had been contained. However, the rise of decentralized, transnational extremist groups – notably affiliated with al-Qaeda and ISIS – demonstrated that the core ideological and operational networks remained intact. Furthermore, new state and non-state actors, including those exploiting regional instability and political grievances, have emerged as significant threats. The 22 April attack near Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of several security personnel, highlighted the continued vulnerability of the region to these types of assaults, triggering a renewed emphasis on coordinated regional security responses – a core function of the Quad CTWG.
Key stakeholders involved in the meeting included Ambassador Sibi George, Secretary (West) of India’s Ministry of External Affairs, responsible for leading India’s counterterrorism efforts, and representatives from the United States Department of State’s Bureau of Counterterrorism, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Counter Terrorism Bureau, and the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ International Cooperation for Countering Terrorism and International Organized Crime division. These delegates engaged in a detailed assessment of the current terrorism threat landscape, specifically focusing on trends within the Indo-Pacific. According to data from the Global Terrorism Database (GTD) maintained by the University of Maryland, attacks originating from the region increased by 18% in 2024 compared to 2023, largely driven by activity in Afghanistan and Pakistan, areas with persistent instability and known havens for extremist groups. This increase underscores the urgency of the Quad’s collaborative approach.
The meeting’s agenda included a “Tabletop Exercise (TTx) on ‘Counter Terrorism Operations in the Urban Environment’,” designed to enhance joint operational preparedness. This simulation, simulating a complex attack scenario in a densely populated urban area, allowed CT experts to refine protocols for rapid response, information sharing, and inter-agency coordination – vital elements given the increasing potential for attacks in congested areas. “Urban environments present a particularly high-risk domain for terrorist exploitation,” stated Dr. Marcus Jones, a senior analyst at the RAND Corporation specializing in counterterrorism, in a recent briefing. “The TTx served to identify vulnerabilities and bolster the capacity for coordinated action.”
Furthermore, the Quad members addressed emerging challenges, including the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or drones, for terrorist purposes. Workshops held in September 2025, organized by the National Security Guard and the National Investigation Agency, respectively, focused on developing strategies to counter this growing threat. The potential for UAVs to deliver explosives or conduct surveillance significantly complicates counterterrorism efforts, demanding proactive measures, including technological countermeasures and enhanced intelligence gathering. The Quad’s focus on preventing terrorist exploitation of “new and emerging technologies for terror financing” reflects a broader recognition of the evolving nature of the threat. Recent reports from the International Centre for Counter-Terrorism (ICCT) highlight the increasing use of cryptocurrencies and online platforms for fundraising and recruitment by extremist groups.
Looking ahead, the Quad CTWG’s short-term impact is likely to be limited to refining existing strategies and strengthening operational coordination. However, the longer-term implications are considerable. The commitment to convene another meeting in 2026 signifies a sustained level of engagement, despite ongoing geopolitical tensions. Given the persistent instability in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and the continued proliferation of extremist ideologies, the Quad’s collaborative efforts will remain critical to mitigating the threat. According to projections from the International Crisis Group, if counterterrorism efforts remain fragmented and reactive, the risk of a significant terrorist resurgence in the Indo-Pacific region within the next decade is substantial. The Quad’s ability to maintain a unified front and effectively adapt to evolving threats will determine its overall success – and, by extension, the security of the Indo-Pacific.