A general view shows Gingal village in Uri, about 100kms from Srinagar, on May 9, 2025. AFP Photo
India has taken a firm stand against Pakistan as tensions escalate across the border. Following the barbaric April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Indian officials have launched a full-scale global outreach to underline one message: India will not stay silent in the face of terrorism.
‘We Are at War With Terrorists’
Indian Ambassador to the US, Vinay Kwatra, made India’s position crystal clear in an interview with CNN.
“We are at war with the terrorists,” he said. “Our goal is to bring justice to the victims and hold these lowlifes, these subhuman monsters, accountable.”
He emphasized that India’s actions were measured, calculated, and necessary. The Pahalgam attack, which targeted civilians based on religion, left India with no choice.
Operation Sindoor: A Precise Response
India’s military response—Operation Sindoor—was not a random retaliation. It was a focused counterstrike targeting terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
Indian High Commissioner to the UK, Vikram Doraiswami, clarified that India had deliberately avoided targeting civilian or military infrastructure. The mission was targeted, moderate, and aimed solely at terror facilities.
‘We did not strike military or national infrastructure. We hit terrorist bases alone’, he said in an interview.
Despite this, Pakistan attempted to retaliate by launching cross-border attacks on Jammu city. Indian forces successfully foiled both attempts within hours.
Proof of Pakistan’s Terror Links
Doraiswami displayed an image on-air of US-designated terrorist Abdur Rauf—leading prayers for the militants killed in Operation Sindoor.
“Everyone knows Pakistan has used terrorism as a tool of sub-conventional warfare for 30 years,” he said.
He urged the international community to pressure Pakistan to dismantle its terror infrastructure.
India Rejects Escalation, Seeks Justice
While tensions are high, Indian officials clarified their intent.
“The original escalation came from Pakistan—by sponsoring the Pahalgam attack,” Doraiswami noted.
“Our response was moderate and focused. We’ve even provided Pakistan with a clear off-ramp: stop attacking, and this ends.”
India maintains that it seeks no war with Pakistan. But it won’t tolerate attacks on its civilians.
Global Response and Diplomatic Push
Ambassador Kwatra said India’s actions were backed by many global leaders.
“From US lawmakers to other world governments, there is strong support for our right to respond,” he added.
He also slammed Pakistan’s pattern of denial, saying that “denial and obfuscation” have always been the first part of Pakistan’s strategy.
Kwatra highlighted Pakistan’s predictable playbook—deny now, admit later. “Remember where Osama bin Laden was found?” he asked. “Or where the killers of Daniel Pearl and the 26/11 masterminds were hiding?” The answer lies within Pakistan’s borders.
“They deny now, admit later. They did this with Osama bin Laden. They’ve done this with 26/11.”
Kwatra warned that Pakistan’s refusal to change will only isolate it further.
Responding to a question in the interview, Kwatra said that with Operation Sindoor, “we, from our perspective, had brought a certain finality to it, but it was, of course, subject to whether Pakistan has brought finality to it. Pakistan chose to escalate it further. Now it’s duty-bound for us to respond to that.”
Call for International Accountability
The situation has drawn muted responses from some countries.
US Vice President JD Vance urged de-escalation but stated America would not intervene in what he called “a regional issue.”
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi visited both nations, offering mediation.
However, international think tanks like the International Crisis Group warned that major powers appear “indifferent” to the risk of escalation.
A Conflict India Didn’t Start
Asked if the situation could spiral into nuclear conflict, Kwatra redirected the focus. “The world shouldn’t fear India’s response,” he said. “It should fear Pakistan’s continued support of terrorism.”
He reiterated that India had done everything to avoid military escalation. “But if Pakistan continues to support terrorists, we’re duty-bound to respond.”
India’s message is clear: the era of looking away is over. Terror will no longer go unanswered.
