International Response To Operation Sindoor

Conference hall of the UNSC is expected to see some action when India produces credible evidence in respect of Pahalgam massacre.

Reaction of Pakistan is going to be on expected lines. It may try to play spoilt sport. But continuous contacts of S Jai Shanker with many foreign ministers is likely to tilt the balance in India’s favour.As a follow up, India is sending a seven member M.P.s’ delegation to major international capitals to explain and rebut allegations of Pakistan.

INDIA DELEGATION TO UNSC

The Indian delegation has discussed countering terrorist travel and financing with officials from U.N. anti- terror agencies amid India ‘s efforts to get the TRF (The Resistance Front) designated as an U.N. listed terror group.

Discussions with them focused on ongoing collaboration with CTED and UNOCT within their respective mandates. Authorised officers of UNOCT and CTED have not said much.

Though nothing fruitful came out of presentations made by India, yet, future trends are going to be to India’s advantage.

ROLE OF TRUMP’s UNITED STATES

Two days after claiming credit for having ‘convinced’ both India & Pakistan on ‘Cease Fire’, President Trump had to take a U turn. He changed his tune as well. He is reported to have bowled another Googly which did not strike. White House Press Secretary also reported that President Trump was ‘stopped’ and that he is not getting credit, due to him. We should say- let whimsical Trump be bothered about taking credit.

Due to utterances of the President, prospects of mutual trade promotion between the U.S. and India are getting delayed. Once again, Piyush Goel, Commerce & Industries Minister has been rushed to Washington.

Mostly, it is believed that trade is for diplomacy but according to experts, diplomacy was being used by Trump for trade. At every given opportunity, he resorts to his criticism of the alleged high rate of Indian tariff, while maintaining the 30 % tariff already announced in respect of the Chinese goods. One leading national daily has accordingly opined that tackling Trump is a major challenge for India.

Trump, who had declared that he could solve the vexed issues of the Middle East and bone of contention between Russia and Ukraine, seems to have slowed down after failing in convincing India that ‘Cease Fire’ between them and Pakistan was brokered by him. Pakistan P.M.,on the other hand, has praised Trump for his help. He is seen inclined to follow old American thinking and policy as regards India & Pakistan and in respect of Israel ‘s perpetual conflict with the Palestinians. Latter continue to be killed almost daily over a week. Masoud Pezeshkian, the Iranian President is, therefore, somewhat frank in his views on Trump. He says that on the one hand, Trump speaks about peace, while simultaneously making threats.

On the issue of Trump’s continued hard line on tariffs in general, he forgets that he is part of this world and that it may slow down the economy, in addition to causing recession in more than one country.

CHANGED STAND OF AFGHANISTAN

Afghanistan, while maintaining distance from Pakistan, is following a wait and watch policy.

In the meanwhile, S Jai Shanker had a fruitful talk with Amir Khan Muttaqi, acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan. Latter has condemned Pakistan for its involvement in Pahalgam terror attack.

It is a welcome departure for the Talibans. Otherwise they have been hand in glove with Pakistan over the issue of promoting “universities of terror” and in facilitating Islamic terrorism. Pursuant to its ideology, not only it had taken help of outfits like Al Qaeda, ISIS, Hamas etc., but scores of their unemployed Jehadis used to get ’employment’ in J & K in the past.

The Government of India, welcoming the Taliban stand on Pahalgam bloodshed, therefore, appears to be taking a breath of fresh air.Taliban Government, further, has vehemently denied Pakistani rumour that India was trying to wage war against Afghanistan.

In a fresh turn of events, 160 stranded trucks of Afghanistan with India imported goods have been permitted to enter India through Wagah-Attari Check Post.

TURKIYE & AZERBAIJAN

Turkiye is playing a dubious double role to perfection. On the one hand, it has supplied Songer drones, missiles, hardware, training, operators and contractors to Pakistan, on the other, it has attempted to bring Russia and Ukraine to the negotiation table after three years at Istanbul. It is a different matter that talks boycotted by two heads of states got over in one day and yielded no results or Cease Fire, per se.

Military support of Turkiye to Pakistan has hurt every Indian as India was among the first responders when a massive earthquake rattled Turkiye in 2023. India’s swift action in declaring ‘Operation DOST’ and setting up a Field Hospital at Ankara, apart from other humanitarian aid, should not have been forgotten so quickly and easily by Turkiye.

In the same way, the unusual tilt and support of Azerbaijan to Pakistan at this juncture is baffling.

On the appeal of the Government, majority of Indians have cancelled travel plans, hotel bookings and availing of wedding venues in Turkiye and Azerbaijan, besides Indian Motion Picture Producers Association calling upon Hindi film producers to cancel their film shootings in both countries. JNU and AMU have terminated their tie ups with Universities of Turkiye and some more are likely to follow suit.

Amir Khan whose last film was shot in Turkiye is already facing rough weather for his interview with the spouse of the President of Turkiye.

Bengaluru textile traders have also boycotted Turkey and Azerbaijan over their perceived alignment with Pakistan. Hundreds of textile traders and wholesalers of Karnataka have already suspended their trade.

On the Civil Aviation front, Air India and Indigo Air have also terminated their airport maintenance, baggage handling and code sharing agreements with Turkish companies, such as Celebi. This company’s shares have already fallen by 20%. It has been clarified that workers of the companies may not be terminated. In all, nine airports of the country are going to be affected.

Flamboyant Turkiye President R.T. Erdogan, since 2014 has reiterated his support to Pakistan. He has raised the Kashmir issue at U.N.S.C. many times, having described eight million Kashmiris being ‘trapped’ under a blockade. As he has waited long enough to lead Muslim world, his fresh proximity to Pakistan is a step in that direction. He does not believe that glorification of military activity is a sin.

NUCLEAR ISSUE

Pakistan has unsuccessfully tried to black mail India. It has nuclear sites in six places with 170 nuclear warheads. Officially, only the U.S.A, U.K, France, China and Russia are Nuclear powers but in addition to India, Iran and North Korea, Pakistan too has built up such a capability. International regulator IAEA, after carrying out inspection of six nuclear facilities of Pakistan has given a Clean chit, which has been Questioned by India. Raksha Mantri has gone to the extent of calling on the IAEA to carry out regular supervision of nuclear installations of Pakistan.

CHINESE DRAGON OR CHEQUER ?

As China happens to be an all weather ally of Pakistan, it was upset that Pakistan reached out to the U.S.A. first. China ,apparently indicated to continue efforts to keep the region peaceful and stable. It goes without saying that 85 % of arms and equipment used by Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, were of Chinese origin.The Chinese defence system, however, was no match to its Indian counterpart. India was in a position to jam the Chinese Air Defence system used by Pakistan. Jamming means disrupting or confusing enemy radar and communications.

A Chinese representative is also reported to have met Pakistan P.M. during Operation Sindoor, when India’s response was precise and strategic due to exceptional synergy between Army, Air Force and Navy.

Hitting and destruction of Markaz Subhanallah H.Q. and training camp of JeM, 100 kms away from International border, could be termed quite a feat. When Pakistan escalated, India fought back, albeit, maintaining a defensive posture.

China, infamous for launching research oriented 64 ‘Spy’ ships, has sent Da Yang Yihao, another huge vessel to the Arabian Sea to monitor movement of Indian Navy ships, including an aircraft carrier over there.The said vessel, capable of tracking submarine activity was seen cruising very close to Andaman & Nicobar Islands a few days ago.Presence of China in the sea surrounding Sri Lanka also can not be ignored at this juncture.

It is high time that the four nation QUAD undertakes a review of such a movement as also the rising presence of China in the South China Sea.

TO SUM UP

Mettle of Indian drones, arsenal and home produced missiles has been proved beyond doubt. The Make in India initiative in defence production is showing positive results. with the rise of defence exports by 12 percent. Our disciplined and dedicated forces have triumphed decisively.

There is widespread condemnation of terrorism all over. India, at the same time, has conveyed its considered resolve to Pakistan very boldly. Having been pushed to losing front, now Pakistan P. M. is keen to have talks with India.

Pakistan is facing an acute economic crisis. Most of its air bases have been shattered by Indian air strikes. Repairs reportedly have begun. Meagre IMF assistance of 1.3 billion dollars, that too arranged by the USA, will be a tip of the iceberg, as the country owes a lot in terms of debt servicing.

Pakistan, already facing strong resistance from the Baloch Liberation Front, is now confronted with tough revolts from within — Gilgit, Baltistan, Skardu and Hunza. With activists detained in large numbers, a few areas have been declared ‘disturbed territory’.

This may not be an Era of war. Nevertheless, to ensure one’s sovereignty, minimum committed defence may be essential. Also democratic strength and collective will is very much needed.

(The author is former Chief Secretary, Sikkim)