A Calculated Response to Brutality
On April 22, the Pahalgam region in Jammu & Kashmir witnessed a brutal terror attack that claimed the lives of 26 civilians, including one Nepali national. The Resistance Front, a Lashkar-e-Taiba proxy, took responsibility. Intelligence agencies swiftly traced the origins of the attack to terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). In response, India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7—a coordinated, non-escalatory military offensive targeting nine terror hubs, five in PoK and four deep within Pakistan, including the infamous JeM base in Bahawalpur and LeT's ideological hub in Muridke.
India's measured yet resolute operation sent a strong message, asserting its right to self-defence while avoiding escalation with the Pakistani military. The strikes not only dismantled terrorist infrastructure but also sent shockwaves through the global diplomatic community. As tensions peaked, reactions poured in from across the world, reflecting a mixture of support, concern, and diplomatic caution.
U.S. Calls for Peace Amid Strategic Support
President Donald Trump, speaking from the White House just hours after India’s strikes, expressed hope that the long-standing conflict between India and Pakistan would end swiftly. "It’s a shame... They’ve been fighting for many, many decades and centuries, actually... I just hope it ends very quickly," he remarked.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed the sentiment, adding on X that he was "closely monitoring the situation" and would "continue to engage both Indian and Pakistani leadership towards a peaceful resolution." His remarks followed a briefing from India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval to his U.S. counterpart and Rubio himself. The Indian Embassy in Washington released a statement shortly after the strikes, emphasizing that the action was in response to a heinous terror attack and was based on credible evidence of Pakistan-based group involvement.
Israel Stands Firmly with India
Israel, a key defense and strategic partner of India, offered full-throated support for Operation Sindoor. Ambassador Reuven Azar, in a strong message posted on social media, stated, “Israel supports India's right to self-defence. Terrorists should know that there is no place to escape from their heinous crimes against innocents.”
This unambiguous stance reflects the two countries' shared experiences with cross-border terrorism and their commitment to a zero-tolerance approach toward such threats. Israeli support underscores growing global recognition of India’s calibrated doctrine of pre-emptive strikes against non-state actors operating under state protection.
The United Nations and UAE Call for Restraint
While India garnered support for its right to self-defence, calls for restraint came from multilateral and regional stakeholders.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed serious concern over the strikes and urged both nuclear-armed nations to de-escalate. “Maximum military restraint is crucial,” his spokesperson said, reminding both sides of the dangers of uncontrolled escalation.
The United Arab Emirates, a close diplomatic ally to both India and Pakistan, called for a cooling of tensions. Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan urged dialogue and peaceful resolution while acknowledging the sensitive regional stakes involved.
Operation Sindoor: Strategic Precision, Political Message
According to India’s Ministry of Defence, the operation was designed to be “focused, measured, and non-conflict escalating.” Indian forces employed high-precision Rafale jets, SCALP cruise missiles, and Hammer bombs to ensure zero collateral damage and surgical accuracy. Importantly, no Pakistani military or civilian infrastructure was targeted—a point repeatedly stressed by Indian authorities.
Among the nine locations struck, two were significant symbols of anti-India jihadist activity. In Bahawalpur, the base of Jaish-e-Mohammed’s founder Masood Azhar was hit hard. Reports indicate that ten of Azhar’s family members, including his sister and brother-in-law, were killed—a move seen as both operationally significant and symbolically powerful. The strikes also dismantled LeT’s command center in Muridke, long dubbed the ideological nursery of anti-India extremism.
An Indian Army spokesperson confirmed, “Justice done. Jai Hind.” The clarity of purpose and operational restraint has drawn appreciation even from nations advocating caution, recognizing India's delicate balancing of defense and diplomacy.
A New Doctrine in Counter-Terror Strategy
India’s Operation Sindoor is not just a retaliatory military mission—it is a statement. It marks a strategic shift from reactive diplomacy to assertive defense. The precision and limited scope of the strikes demonstrate New Delhi’s intent to punish terrorism without inviting war.
The international reaction reflects an evolving understanding: that sovereign states have a right to act against non-state terror actors when conventional diplomatic channels fail. While global leaders call for restraint—and rightly so—the nature of their statements also suggests a quiet acknowledgment of the legitimacy of India’s response.
This episode leaves the world with a powerful reminder: in the age of asymmetric warfare, justice may need to fly on the wings of fighter jets. But the ultimate hope, echoed by leaders across the globe, is that strength brings not only security, but also peace.
(With agency inputs)
