Sober policies are key to Islamic State risk in India

Subject

Islamic State group activity in India.

Significance

Indian authorities have thus far arrested 20 suspected Islamic State group (ISG) operatives, including most recently a cleric accused of spreading violent propaganda on behalf of the Sunni radical organisation based in Iraq and Syria. The arrests are part of a wider crackdown, which has included incarcerations of Indian Muslims accused of ISG links, and separately the arrest by Syrian and the United Arab Emirates' authorities of eight Indian men travelling to joining ISG. At least 23 Indians are said to have already joined the group, with two reportedly killed in fighting.

Impacts

• ISG-linked activity is likely to have limited electoral salience, at least for the time being.
• It could acquire some prominence if arrests selectively target Muslims because of their religion rather than actions.
• Indian participation in any international effort against ISG risks intensifying the domestic radicalisation risk.