The world has stakes in India. It cannot afford to ignore the terror strike

Indian Express

27-05-2025

The horrifying terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, 2025, in which 26 innocent people — 25 Indians and 1 Nepali — were brutally gunned down, stands as one of the darkest moments in recent memory. The attackers, who had crossed over from Pakistan, singled out their victims based on religion, asking them to recite the Kalima to confirm if they were Muslim. Those who could not were executed on the spot. This was not just a massacre — it was a cold, calculated act, and a grim reminder of Pakistan's deep-rooted links to terrorism.
In retaliation, India launched Operation Sindoor, a calibrated and precise strike on nine known terrorist hubs within Pakistan. These were not random targets — they were operational bases for recruitment, training, and leadership of militant groups with a long and well-documented history of violence. When Pakistan escalated militarily, India responded effectively but with great restraint, targeting key military installations involved in the aggression. Eventually, Pakistan's DGMO sought a ceasefire — an implicit acknowledgement of the consequences of its provocative stance.
What stood out in India's response is the use of cutting-edge technology that enabled precision strikes on carefully selected terrorist targets inside Pakistan. It also sent a strong message — that Pakistan lies well within the reach of India's missile systems, and any provocation will invite a swift and decisive response. Prime Minister Narendra Modi made it clear to Pakistan that Operation Sindoor has only been paused but not concluded, and any future act of terrorism emanating from Pakistan will be treated as an 'act of war'. He has also categorically called out Pakistan's longstanding tactic of nuclear blackmail, stating that such threats will no longer deter India from defending its sovereignty.
India has been a victim of terror for far too long, with a history marked by brutal attacks like the 2001 Parliament attack, the 26/11 Mumbai attacks in 2008, the Pathankot and Uri attacks in 2016, and the Pulwama suicide bombing in 2019. These attacks, executed by Pakistan-based terror outfits, have repeatedly targeted civilians and security forces, highlighting the persistent threat India faces from across the border. The time has come for the world to acknowledge what India has endured for decades, and that Pakistan is the architect, enabler, and exporter of terror as a state policy.
With this context, a high-level Indian delegation comprising members from across the political spectrum, representing diverse regions of the country, united in their purpose to present India's case to the world, has set out to engage with global stakeholders — including leaders of governments, policymakers, and diplomatic representatives. The following objectives guide the delegation's mission:
First, to highlight and document Pakistan's sustained role as a state sponsor of terrorism. This includes exposing not only its inaction in dealing with terror emanating from its soil but also the deep-rooted nexus between its government, its army and the terrorist organisations. Its establishments provide not just ideological but material support — safe havens, weapons, training, and funding — to internationally banned terror groups.
Second, to urge the international community to re-examine diplomatic engagements with Pakistan, especially in light of repeated global incidents where investigative trails have led back to Pakistan.
Third, to emphasise that this is not just India's concern. Pakistan's unchecked extremism endangers global stability, investor confidence, and the safety of democracies worldwide. In an interconnected world, one nation's inaction on terror becomes every nation's threat.
Fourth, to showcase India's commitment to peace, stability, and multilateral cooperation. As one of the world's fastest-growing economies and a trusted global partner, India is making the case that peace in South Asia is not possible without global pressure on Pakistan to dismantle its terror infrastructure.
Fifth, to seek collective accountability. The delegation will advocate for greater collaboration among nations to counter this common threat emanating from Pakistan.
India's warning is unambiguous: Terrorism cannot be fought in isolated compartments. For decades, Pakistan has wielded terrorism as an instrument of state, poisoning South Asia's security environment. It is time for every nation and multilateral forum to speak in one resolute voice and apply relentless pressure on Islamabad to dismantle its terror machinery and abandon the politics of bloodshed.
India today is a rising technological and economic powerhouse — home to 1.4 billion aspirations and the lynchpin of countless international investments. Each strike on Indian soil tears at this social fabric and endangers the global stakes intertwined with it. Safeguarding India's ascent is therefore a shared obligation. The moment for mere condemnation has passed; coordinated action is the only credible response. The cost of silence is far too great.
The writer is BJP MP for Bengaluru South, and member of the government delegation to the Americas after Operation Sindoor