India emphasised the need to classify cyber threats like attacks on critical infrastructure, financial systems, and government networks as terror attacks
India has expressed concerns over the inadequacies of current international law in addressing cyberattacks. A representative stated, “Current international law is not well positioned to support responses to cyberattacks,” highlighting India’s long-standing experience with terrorism and its awareness of the dangers posed by cyberterrorism.
India emphasised the need to classify cyber threats like attacks on critical infrastructure, financial systems, and government networks as terror attacks. These threats, according to India, can jeopardise national security and global stability. The representative pointed out that terrorists are increasingly using cyberspace for violence, recruitment, and training, and are finding new funding methods through virtual assets and cryptocurrency.
Addressing issues such as cryptocurrency heists, data hijacking, deep fakes, and misinformation, the representative noted the potential of artificial intelligence to amplify cyber threats. He stated, “The integrity and security of ICT products which form the building blocks of cyberspace, are being compromised.” He added that such acts undermine trust in global ICT supply chains and create potential conflicts between states, often involving state-sponsored actors, non-state actors, and transnational crime networks.
India called for global cooperation to harmonise cybersecurity standards, best practices, and regulations. It stressed the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration to understand and tackle emerging cyber threats.
UN’s Plans For Addressing Cybercrime
UN Secretary-General António Guterres highlighted the upcoming ‘Summit of the Future’ in September, which aims to enhance international peace and security in cyberspace. He noted that Chapter 2 of the Pact from the Summit would focus on protecting critical infrastructure and creating accountability for data-driven technology, including AI. A High-Level Advisory Body on Artificial Intelligence is also preparing a report on best practices for AI governance.
The “New Agenda for Peace,” released in 2023, calls for efforts by states to prevent and manage conflicts in cyberspace. Guterres stressed, “The rule of law must exist in the digital sphere as it does in the physical world.”
UN Cyber Crime Treaty
Guterres briefly mentioned the UN Cyber Crime Treaty, under discussion by the UN Ad-Hoc Committee, aimed at creating an international convention on tackling cybercrime. India has been active in these discussions, proposing a ’24×7 global communication network’ to address phishing attacks. This network would allow law enforcement agencies to quickly render phishing links inaccessible and identify malicious actors and compromised IT resources.
India explained that this communication network would enable law enforcement to block phishing links and notify the requested state promptly, allowing for swift action according to domestic laws. This proposal is seen as a practical mechanism for combating phishing and enhancing global cybersecurity efforts.
India hopes that these discussions and the proposed measures will lead to significant policy changes and strengthen global cooperation in tackling cyber threats.
