External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will address the UNGA at 9.30 pm India time. She is expected to focus on strengthening of counter-terrorism mechanism at international level.
In a repeat of 2016, India's First Secretary of the Permanent Mission to the United Nations Eenam Gambhir has set the perfect stage for Minister for External Affairs 
Sushma Swaraj at the UN General Assembly (UNGA). Sushma Swaraj will be the UNGA at 9.30 pm India time.
"In its short history, Pakistan has become a geography synonymous with terror. The quest for a land of pure has actually produced 'the land of pure terror'. Pakistan is now Terroristan," Eenam Gambhir said while responding to Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqqan Abbasi's allegation that India supports terrorism. Watch her response here
SUSHMA ON COUNTER-TERROR MISSION
On her part, Sushma Swaraj has been busy in New York holding back-to-back bilateral and multi-lateral meetings with leaders from Europe to Latin America and Caribbean Islands. In every meeting with her counterparts, Sushma Swaraj has raised the issue of terrorism.
Earlier this week, Sushma Swaraj addressed the third meeting of India-Caricom (Caribbean community) on the sidelines of the UNGA. Sushma drew the attention of the Caribbean community towards the danger that terrorism pose. The Caribbean Islands may not be facing threat of terrorism directly but their support at the UNGA could be significant for India.
Sushma Swaraj said, "Terrorism constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security. Counter-terrorism requires a strong collective action by the global community. A strong legal framework also needs to be established in order to address this problem."
Here, Sushma Swaraj also outlined what would be her focus during her address to the UNGA tonight. Sushma Swaraj said, "An early adoption by the UNGA of the Comprehensive Convention of International Terrorism, a draft which was proposed by India as early as 1996, is essential."
PAKISTAN AND ROHINGYA
For almost three decades, India has been a victim of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. Thousands of lives have been lost to terror in Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of the country. India has been raising the issue of terrorism on international for over 25 years. But, the world's attention sharpened after 9/11 attacks on the US in 2001.
In recent times, India has succeeded in getting many terror outfits operating from Pakistan to be declared as proscribed. Even though, China stood in the way on several occasions, many other countries have supported India's stand on terrorism. Recently, the US, under Trump administration, designated Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin as global terrorist.
Sushma Swaraj's speech at the UNGA focusing on dangers of terrorism is likely to have its bearing on the Rohingya question particularly in the context of India. The 
Narendra Modi government has stated it in clear terms that it would work to find ways for deporting Rohingyas living in India illegally. Their number is said to be about 40,000.
The government has filed a written affidavit in the Supreme Court saying that the stay of Rohingyas in the country poses grave threat to national security. Terror and jihadi outfits are suspected to have infiltrated the vulnerable sections of fleeing Rohingyas. The jihadi elements are suspected to be prying on Rohingyas for recruiting them as potential terrorists.
In this context, Sushma Swaraj will make a strong case for adopting the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) by the UNGA.
WHAT IS CCIT?
India had proposed a convention in 1996 for adoption at the UNGA to widen the ambit of counter-terrorism mechanism. But, 21 years later, the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism is still in the limbo.
Sushma Swaraj had raised the issue of CCIT's adoption last year as well. But, this time, Sushma Swaraj is expected to make a stronger pitch. There are already about 15 other conventions that have been adopted by the UNGA. But, CCIT gives more teeth to fight against terrorism.
The Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism provides for a legal framework making it binding on all signatories to deny funds and safe havens to terrorist groups. This, if adopted, will leave little scope for China to shield Pakistan, which, in turn, cannot afford to stay away from the CCIT.
The counter-terror convention aims to have a universal definition of terrorism that all 193-members of the UNGA will adopt into their own criminal law.
It makes the signatory countries to ban all terror groups and shut down terror camps. The CCIT makes it legally binding on the member countries to prosecute all terrorists under special laws.
And, more significantly, the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism provides for legal framework to make cross-border terrorism an extraditable offence worldwide. This provision has the potential of forcing Pakistan to stop terror activities in Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of India.
