The brutal attack by Pakistani terrorists on innocent tourists in Pahalgam must be seen not only as a threat to India but as a global warning—especially for countries like the United States. This attack was strategically timed during the successful visit of U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance to India and his discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The international community, particularly the U.S., is aware that 25 years ago, on March 21, 2000, just hours before President Bill Clinton’s visit to India, Pakistani-backed terrorists massacred 37 Sikhs in the Chittisinghpura village of Anantnag. A year later, Osama bin Laden’s terrorists carried out the deadliest attack in New York.
In this context, the time is ripe to teach Pakistan a lesson, as it has been orchestrating terrorist attacks on India for over 45 years. This time, the Pahalgam attack was condemned by most major world powers—including, significantly, China. History also reminds us that four decades ago, both the U.S. and China supported Pakistan’s military and its intelligence agency, the ISI, in every possible way. However, in the last ten years, Indo-U.S. relations have vastly improved, with significant strategic cooperation agreements. Meanwhile, China too has been attempting to foster better relations with India.
Europe and African nations have consistently stood with India on the issue of terrorism. Interesingly, even the Islamic nations that Pakistan has long relied on for support and economic aid are now siding with India against terrorism. Countries like Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Iran are deepening both economic and strategic ties with India, further isolating Pakistan on the global stage.
In the Pahalgam attack, the terrorists explicitly invoked religion. Just a week earlier, Pakistan’s army chief had made public statements about the 1947 Partition and the supposed separate identity of Hindus and Muslims—clearly signalling that the Pakistani military and ISI are preparing for large-scale communal division and violence in India. This comes at a time when Jammu and Kashmir, under President’s Rule, has made developmental strides. After the abrogation of Article 370, assembly elections were conducted, leading to increased social and economic stability. Tourism in the region was booming, and the people of Kashmir were beginning to enjoy the fruits of peace. This terrorist attack has deeply disturbed the local population.
It is ironic that during the 1980s and 1990s, despite thousands of deaths due to terrorism, the U.S. and European nations extended direct or indirect support to terrorist groups under the guise of human rights. It took the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center for America to finally wake up. India has consistently advocated for a united global front against terrorism at the United Nations and other international platforms. In recent years, with the efforts of Prime Minister Modi, global forums like the G-20 and G-7 have passed resolutions calling for joint action against terrorism.
It is also a fact that European countries like the UK, France, and Germany have themselves been victims of terrorist attacks. Several nations in Asia and Africa have suffered the same fate. Therefore, any country that continues to financially support a state that harbours terrorists is essentially feeding terrorism. Historically, Russia has always stood with India on this issue. Today, countries like the U.S., Russia, the European Union, ASEAN nations, and most of the Gulf States are entering into new agreements to elevate their relations with India to unprecedented levels. In recent years, India has signed defense agreements with nearly 100 countries. India is now not only importing advanced weaponry but also exporting it to many nations.
Pakistan’s reckless leaders and military officials occasionally issue nuclear threats, forgetting that India is a more capable nuclear power. While a nuclear conflict is unlikely, India is fully capable of responding decisively to the proxy war that Pakistan has waged for decades.
Terrorism is like a virus—much like COVID—that can re-emerge and wreak havoc on the entire world. The situation between India and Pakistan should not be compared with the Israel-Palestine conflict. Pakistani terrorism has affected not just India but also neighbouring countries like Bangladesh, Nepal, and the Maldives. The terrorists trained in Pakistan have carried out attacks not only in India but also in the U.S., UK, Australia, and Canada.
Therefore, India has consistently urged the global community to declare Pakistan a terrorist state and to cut off all forms of financial and military aid it receives. If the world can impose strict economic sanctions on countries like Russia and Iran, then why can’t it do the same to Pakistan, despite the overwhelming evidence against it?
The only way to eliminate terrorism from its roots is to sever its access to resources—its food, water, and oxygen. And that starts with economic isolation.
