Operation ‘Sindoor’: Global support for India and Pakistan’s isolation, a validation of India’s retaliatory response

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Introduction

Pakistan, a pivot of global terror, conceived and carried out heinous and despicable terrorist attacks in different parts of the world. Terrorism, the menace and the monster, created and nurtured by Pakistan has been a scourge that has plagued for the entire world and more so India. The ghastly, savage and heinous terror act in Pahalgam on April 22 laid bare the abhorrent and ugly face of Pakistan shaking the very core of the entire nation. The gruesome terror attack caught on video, surpassed even the most heinous and dastardly terrorist acts that has happened of late – killing of innocent citizens after identifying their religion before their family members.

In response, the nation rallied in unity calling for justice for brutally murdered compatriots and for harsh action against the heinous terrorists. The determination of national leadership and resolve of its people led to launching of Operation ‘Sindoor’ leading to destruction of terrorist groups hideouts inside Pakistan.

Existential Crisis for Pakistan

Operation ‘Sindoor’ has made it an existential crisis for Pakistan which is already grappling with its own Baloch conflict, sectarian strife, imploding economy, dysfunctional institutions and ineffectual leadership. Stripped of the shred of dignity, Pakistan started attacking India indiscriminately targeting not only military establishments but also civilian targets including schools, temples and houses. India, in initial phase of Op ‘Sindoor’ undertook calibrated and non-escalatory operations, responded to Pakistan’s targeting by striking at the heart of Pakistan. India unleashed a barrage of precision drones and missiles and in the first three days itself brought Pakistan to its knees forcing it to plead for ceasefire.

Diplomatic Isolation and Desertion of Pakistan

Following the Pahalgam terrorist attacks and during Op ‘Sindoor’, Pakistan finds itself in diplomatic crosshairs due to global condemnation for the terrorist attack, isolation and desertion by even its traditional allies. The global collective consensus to eradicate terrorism in all its forms and manifestations has already been reached.

Across the globe, the reputation of Pakistan as centre of terrorism has been accepted as fait accompli and Pahalgam terrorist attacks reaffirmed Pakistan’s reputation as sponsor of state terrorism. This has made even its traditionally supportive allies to condemn the attack in the strongest terms and cast aspersions on Pakistan’s role as a sponsor of global terrorism.

In an official statement, The United Arab Emirates strongly condemned the terrorist attack that targeted tourists in Pahalgam and reiterated its position in permanent rejection of all forms of violence and terrorism aimed at undermining security and stability in contravention of international law ⁱ . Saudi Arabia, which was hosting Prime Minister Modi on his official visit when the terrorist attack took place, strongly condemned the terrorist attack targeting tourists and reaffirmed its opposition to all forms of violence and extremism.ⁱⁱ Qatar, despite its supportive relationship with Pakistan, expressed its strong condemnation and denunciation of the attack.ⁱⁱⁱ

In a despicable attempt to shield Pakistan from global condemnation, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Group in New York alleged India for exacerbating tensions in the region and making unfounded allegations against Pakistan. With Pakistan as one of its members, the OIC Sectary parroted Pak script despite contrary views of other members. India vehemently slammed OIC for permitting Pakistan to use its forum for peddling lies and falsehood despite irrefutable evidence of its involvement in Pahalgam terrorist attack and its cross-border terror linkages.

Global Support for India

The World shocked by the spectacle of violence perpetrated by terrorists unequivocally condemned attack in Pahalgam and stood with India after it launched Operation ‘Sindoor’. The European Union (EU) and its 27 Member States in a statement denounced every form and manifestation and called for bringing its perpetrators to justice. The statement also reaffirmed the duty of every state to protect its citizens from acts of terror.^iv

In a diplomatically significant and well-orchestrated move, Foreign Affairs Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran Dr. Abbas Araghchi visited India on 8 May to attend 20th India-Iran Joint Commission Meeting (JCM). Apart from discussing various mutual issues, Iranian delegation was briefed on the cross-border linkages of terrorist attack in Pahalgam. In a joint statement, both sides called for enhanced regional cooperation to combat the threat of terrorism. The Iranian Foreign Minister also held a meeting with the National Security Advisor, Shri Ajit Kumar Doval.^v Iran’s overtures toward India indicate former’s willingness to engage more proactively for strengthening of bilateral relations. Besides, Islamabad–Tehran bonhomie has undercurrents of hostility and alienation and it was just over a year when both countries launched missiles against each other. In another significant diplomatic development, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Mr. Adel al-Jubeir arrived in New Delhi. His visit coincided with visit of the Iranian delegation as well as launch of Op ‘Sindoor’.^vi The visit of Saudi Arabia’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, in the backdrop of Riyadh’s significant clout over Pakistani political and military establishments, is being viewed as a diplomatic outreach and support to express its solidarity with India on terrorism.

The cross-border terrorist organizations perceive the attention of US as central to their nefarious and bloody strategy. The outcome of this strategy has twice culminated into brutal terrorist attacks and killing of innocent civilians. In Pahalgam attack, the US Vice President JD Vance was in India for his first official visit. The Pahalgam attack is reminiscent of former President Bill Clinton’s trip in Mar 2000, when just hours before then US President’s arrival in India, a group of armed terrorists dressed in Indian Army uniforms entered a remote village of Chittisinghpora in Anantnag district, rounded up and killed 35 villagers. However, this time the terror strategy from across the border was blown to smithereens when US condemned the killing of innocent civilians and backed the legitimacy of Operation ‘SINDOOR’. President Donald Trump affirmed, “India has a sovereign right to combat terrorism,” and Vice President JD Vance remarked, “This is fundamentally a regional matter, not America’s war and not something we should try to control.” ^vii

Israel has suffered from the terrorism since its establishment. The wounds of October 7th terror attack in the year 2023 still remain unhealed. During this difficult time, India was one of the first countries to express their solidarity with Israel and choose to firmly back Israel as a victim of terrorism. Israel on its part affirmed its backing when Israel’s Ambassador to India Mr. Reuven stated that, “Israel supports India’s right to self defense”.^viii

Terrorists should know there’s no place to hide from their heinous crimes against the innocent.” Similarly, Russia, Japan, Panama and Sri Lanka strongly condemned killing of innocent civilians and its efforts to combat terrorism.^ix

UNSC on Pahalgam Terrorist Attack

The UN Security Council (UNSC) in a statement condemned the Pahalgam terrorist attack. However, UNSC stand was marred by Pakistan’s actions as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council (UNSC). Pakistan in collusion with China opposed the initial draft statement and insisted on issuing a modified draft statement without any overt reference to the ‘The Resistance Front’ (TRF) and without any direct mention of “Government of India” in the context of investigation.^x

China as ‘All Weather Friend' of Pakistan

China, as expected, sided with Pakistan despite irrefutable evidence of its role in Pahalgam terrorist attack. Its conspicuous silence on killing of innocent civilians and terror attack was viewed as an attempt to shield Pakistan from global outrage and as a show of its support. The terming of India’s retaliatory strikes as “regrettable” destroyed last shred of Chinese credibility as neutral to the situation panning out in South Asia.^xi China’s strategic compulsion to support Pakistan stems from its obligation to safeguard its investments and protect its stakes in Pakistan. In addition, Op ‘Sindoor’ irrevocably marred China’s reputation as a military hardware exporter. Pakistan’s over reliance on defence imports from China proved its Achilles heel and exposed crucial shortcoming of Chinese military hardware. The prevailing scepticism about Chinese systems is likely to get reinforced in wake of Op ‘Sindoor’ forcing potential global buyers to look out for more reliable partners including India.

Türkiye Collusion with Pakistan

Despite the appalling heinousness of terrorist attack and irrefutable evidence of Pakistan’s collusion with perpetrators of attack, Türkiye openly came forward in support of Pakistan. To ingratiate with Pakistan, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan not only officially condemned India’s retaliatory strikes, but also provided Pakistan with Turkish military drones.^xii Though its drones proved inconsequential and were decimated by Indian Air Defence system, Turkish duplicity and betrayal outraged the whole nation. Before Op ‘Sindoor’, India and Türkiye shared a measured cooperation over many mutual issues; however, Erdogan’s close ties with Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif made him to take a hostile stand against India and support Pakistan in ways outside the fringes of diplomacy.

The nationwide outrage culminated in the boycott calls on tourism and imports from Türkiye which will have economical and sentimental ramifications for it. The premier education Institutes of India such as Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Jamia Millia Islamia and Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay have announced cancellation of agreements with Turkish universities over Türkiye’s support to Pakistan.^xiii The joint ventures and technology tie-ups with Turkish companies are being reviewed for revocation. The Hindustan Shipyard has cancelled the arrangements with Turkish firms for fleet support ships construction for the Indian Navy.^xiv Celebi Ground Handling Private Limited, a Turkey-based company that handles services at nine major airports had its security clearance revoked in wake of Turkish support to Pakistan. India will use diplomacy to counter Türkiye‘s duplicitous narrative in global forums and will isolate it on in its support for Pakistan.

By burning bridges with India and cozying up to the Pakistan, Türkiye is going to face the full might of India’s economic juggernaut. India will use diplomacy to counter Türkiye‘s duplicitous narrative in global forums and will isolate it on in its support for Pakistan.

Similarly, in an act of diplomatic hara-kiri and in contravention to prevailing global opinion, Azerbaijan expressed its “solidarity with the people of Pakistan”.Azerbaijan, like Türkiye is facing the wrath and en masse cancellation of tourist visits by Indian citizens.^xv

Conclusion

“Operation ‘Sindoor’ was not just a military action, but a symbol of India’s political, social and strategic willpower,” said Hon’ble Raksha Mantri, Shri Rajnath Singh on May 11, 2025.^xvi The world, already weary of terrorism, collectively condemned the heinousness of terrorist attack, loss of innocent lifes and demanded to bring terrorists to justice. Operation ‘Sindoor’ demonstrated steely resolve of India’ leadership, indomitable will of its people, courage and bravery of its Armed Forces and unwavering fortitude to punish perpetrators of terrorism. Barring a handful of countries which supported Pakistan, the global support for India is validation of retaliatory strikes under Op ‘Sindoor’.

DISCLAIMER

The paper is author’s individual scholastic articulation and does not necessarily reflect the views of CENJOWS. The author certifies that the article is original in content, unpublished and it has not been submitted for publication/ web upload elsewhere and that the facts and figures quoted are duly referenced, as needed and are believed to be correct.