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COVER STORY MAY 30, 2025 | The Indian Eye 5

empathy in the war on terror. icy has often been the purview of
In Paris, he met with strategic whichever party was in power. But in
analysts and security officials, brief- the face of increasing security threats,
ing them on the tactical and moral the country’s political landscape is
framework of Operation Sindoor showing signs of maturity.
and India’s evidence against Paki-
stan-backed militant outfits. French “This is the New India,” said
officials expressed solidarity and re-
iterated France’s support for India’s Sasmit Patra again during the
efforts in counterterrorism coopera- UAE interaction. “A New India
tion, especially under the framework
of the India-France Strategic Part- where we stand together and
nership. speak as one on matters of na-
Jaishankar also addressed a fo-
rum at the European Union head- tional interest.”
quarters in Brussels, where he un-
derscored the importance of global Such cohesion is vital in present-
consensus on isolating states that ing a credible and consistent narra-
sponsor terrorism. “States which en- All-Party Parliamentary Delegation led by Janata Dal (United) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha tive to international allies. Whether
able terror infrastructure under the it’s rallying diaspora communities,
guise of plausible deniability must meets Japan Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya for Operation Sindoor global outreach, influencing foreign parliaments, or
be called out—no matter their geo- in Tokyo on Thursday (ANI) engaging with multilateral bodies,
political position,” he told EU law- India is increasingly putting forth a
makers, in what was interpreted as India has long maintained that renew international awareness about united national identity—especially
a thinly veiled reference to Pakistan terror groups operating from Paki- these proxy actors and the necessity on security.
and its backers. stan remain the single biggest threat of dismantling their networks. India’s diplomacy is no longer
The Pahalgam terror attack, to regional stability. Organizations India’s voice is getting louder at reactive or risk-averse. It is strategic,
which occurred in April, was one of such as Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), international forums. With the Fi- multi-platform, and people-focused.
the deadliest in recent years. Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), and nancial Action Task Force (FATF) From engaging diaspora communi-
While investigations are ongoing, Hizbul Mujahideen have been held and United Nations Security Coun- ties to launching high-level delega-
preliminary intelligence has pointed responsible for numerous terror at- cil already issuing warnings to Is- tions, India is mobilizing its soft pow-
to cross-border terrorist groups with tacks, not only in Jammu and Kashmir lamabad in previous years, India’s er alongside hardline action.
links to Pakistan as the orchestrators but also in metropolitan centers like current campaign aims to convert Operation Sindoor and its after-
of the attack. This wasn’t an isolated Mumbai, Pathankot, and Pulwama. geopolitical sympathy into tangible math show that India is redefining
incident but part of a pattern of proxy Despite global pressure, these diplomatic pressure. the rules of engagement—both mil-
war tactics employed by elements groups continue to find ideological What distinguishes India’s dip- itarily and diplomatically. It is mak-
across the border to destabilize peace and logistical sanctuaries within Pa- lomatic offensive this time is the ing it clear to the world that its fight
in Jammu and Kashmir. kistan. While Pakistan officially de- consensus among political parties, against terrorism is not just about
The choice of Pahalgam—a route nies any involvement, multiple dos- traditionally fractured by domestic national survival, but also about de-
of religious pilgrimage and symbolic siers submitted by India to the UN rivalries. The delegation to the UAE fending democratic values and the
unity—was deliberate. It aimed to and allied nations offer compelling wasn’t just a symbolic gesture—it rule of law.
sow fear and discord. However, the evidence of safe havens and training represented a paradigm shift in In- By promoting the narrative of a
national response, spearheaded by camps across the Line of Control. dia’s internal political approach to unified political front, by highlighting
Operation Sindoor, turned the trage- A key aspect of India’s diplomat- external threats. the cost of inaction, and by underlin-
dy into a moment of unified defiance. ic push post-Operation Sindoor is to Historically, Indian foreign pol- ing the human tragedy of terrorism,
Operation Sindoor, launched India is reframing the global conver-
in the immediate aftermath of the sation on what it means to be a victim
Pahalgam massacre, was not just a of terrorism—and what it takes to
military retaliation—it was a decla- resist it.
ration of zero tolerance towards ter- The events following the Pahal-
rorism. Spearheaded by the Indian gam attack—and India’s resolute re-
Army and coordinated with intelli- sponse—signal a new normal. One
gence agencies, the operation has where military action is matched by
reportedly led to the elimination of diplomatic assertion, where national
multiple terror operatives, many of unity trumps political division, and
whom were top commanders in Pa- where India’s voice is both louder
kistan-backed outfits. and clearer on the world stage.
The name Sindoor, which tradi- Operation Sindoor is not just a
tionally symbolizes protection and counterterrorism campaign. It is a
commitment in Indian culture, was symbol of India’s resolve, and a mes-
aptly chosen to denote a protective sage to the world that terrorism—no
response to the attack on Indian lives matter where it emerges from—will
and values. Unlike previous opera- be met with resistance that is moral,
tions, this one was complemented by military, and diplomatic.
a coordinated diplomatic campaign, In this new chapter, India is no
showcasing how military and foreign Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri delivers the Spotlight address at the Inaugural Session of longer seeking global understanding
policy are now interwoven in India’s Raisina Tokyo 2025, in Tokyo on Thursday (ANI) out of weakness, but out of strength.
counterterrorism doctrine. It is telling its story—on its terms.

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