India’s Firm Counter-Terror Posture Strengthened by Global Backing After Pahalgam Massacre
In the wake of the heinous terrorist killings of 26 Hindu pilgrims at Pahalgam on April 22, India’s assertive response has drawn significant support from global powers, including a categorical condemnation from U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Their backing bolstered India’s strategic deterrence posture and lent credibility to its calibrated counter-terror doctrine aimed at neutralizing cross-border threats.
Acting swiftly and decisively, India launched a series of coordinated military operations—codenamed Operation Sindoor—in the early hours of May 7, targeting nine terror launchpads and training camps across the Line of Control (LoC) and the Indo-Pak border. These strikes, reminiscent of the Balakot operation, were aimed strictly at terrorist infrastructure, not Pakistani military positions, reinforcing India’s commitment to a focused anti-terror strategy rather than broad military escalation.
This meticulously planned operation was led by India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and executed with remarkable precision by the armed forces. Notably, Col. Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, two distinguished officers, played crucial roles in the operational planning and briefed the media the following morning—symbolizing the role of India’s women in turning national grief into action.
India’s right to pursue designated terrorists like Hafiz Saeed and Masood Azhar—irrespective of their location—remains intact under this evolving strategy. The nation’s resolve is underpinned by a global climate increasingly intolerant of state-sponsored terrorism.
President Trump’s outspoken stance against Islamic extremism, including early visa restrictions on countries fostering terrorism, has realigned American foreign policy in India’s favor. His administration has positioned India as a key strategic partner in countering China and stabilizing the Indo-Pacific region. This was echoed in the Quad Foreign Ministers’ joint statement released in Washington on January 22, which reaffirmed shared commitments to democratic values, territorial sovereignty, and a free Indo-Pacific. India’s upgraded profile within the Quad framework further cements its growing strategic relevance.
Unlike former U.S. President Joe Biden, whose South Asia policy was often criticized for overlooking the nexus of radical groups in the Pak-Afghan region, Trump’s zero-tolerance approach has placed renewed international focus on Pakistan’s role in fostering terrorism. This is especially critical as the implications of the Sino-Pak strategic alliance unfold in real time.
Russia’s vocal support for India, especially in the aftermath of its own tragic terror attack by ISIS-K near Moscow last year, underscores the global unity against faith-based violence. Putin’s solidarity with India reaffirms a shared security concern and marks a significant alignment in India-Russia relations amid shifting geopolitical dynamics.
President Trump’s return to power has brought with it a renewed push for administrative efficiency, economic streamlining, and national interest-driven diplomacy under his ‘America First’ agenda. His partnership with tech entrepreneur Elon Musk in reforming government through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), and the rollback of DEI initiatives from the Biden era, signal a sharp policy shift. India, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has adeptly navigated these changes—maintaining a balanced and sovereign approach while deepening strategic cooperation with the United States.
Despite Trump’s unpredictable public persona, his understanding of India’s strategic and economic potential within the Make America Great Again framework has fostered a robust Indo-U.S. engagement. Modi, during his White House visit in February, subtly endorsed a parallel vision of Make India Great Again, reinforcing the mutual respect that defines this partnership.
India’s response to the Pahalgam massacre—comparable in severity to the 26/11 Mumbai attacks—reflects a shift in New Delhi’s national security doctrine. The Modi government has granted operational freedom to the defence establishment to plan and execute retaliatory strikes, showcasing a zero-tolerance stance on terrorism.
In this evolving scenario, it becomes essential for the Union Government to place Jammu & Kashmir under the leadership of a senior civilian with a national security and intelligence background. Such an appointment could enhance intelligence gathering, manage separatist elements, and reinforce civilian-military coordination in this critical frontier region.
Pakistan’s use of terrorism as an instrument of state policy is unlikely to abate. Hence, India’s long-term deterrence must rest on a credible threat of surgical cross-border responses. These must be precise, intelligence-driven, and backed by international legitimacy, which India’s current diplomatic strategy is effectively securing—despite Chinese resistance on global platforms.
As the regional security landscape evolves post-Pahalgam, India’s strategic clarity, backed by global partners and a firm national resolve, positions it to decisively counter the menace of cross-border terrorism and safeguard its sovereignty.
