The Pulwama attack in which 40 Indian soldiers were martyred has clearly not gone down well in the international community. No one was fooled with Pakistan’s feeble attempts to deny its involvement in the attack, particularly with Jaish-e-Mohammad claiming responsibility.
The attack by the Indian Air Force on Jaish terror training camps in Balakot though seen as a retaliatory measure by Pakistan, was a step that any self-respecting nation would have taken to safeguard its people and the forces. India made it very clear to the world that this was an attack on terrorism.
The fact that nearly 60 countries expressed solidarity with India and their shock at Pulwama attack shows the support India had been able to garner on the issue of terrorism. Anger against the perpetrators of Pulwama and empathy for India was therefore already being felt worldwide.
The successful attack which must have come as a shock, loss of face and for both the Pakistani government and Jaish-e-Mohammed has put Pakistan in a corner.
The international community did not point a finger at the attack on terrorist camps by India and broadly accepted the Indian line that India was only protecting its own interest.
India tactfully allowed its External Affairs Ministry rather than its Defence Ministry to do the briefings and addressing the world community.
No room was left for any ambiguity in the Indian stand that it had not targeted military installations and it was a pre-emptive attack to safeguard the sovereignty of India based on credible information that Jaish-e-Mohammed planned terrorist strikes across India. The attack avoided any civilian site or civilian casualty. It was targeted at terrorist camps only.
In the global fight against terrorism, the international community has accepted India’s view that Pakistan has not taken any action over the years, leaving India with no other option.
Most of the developed nations and western powers urged both India and Pakistan for restraint. China a close ally of Pakistan has also said that it is ready to fight with India against terrorism. US President specifically asked Pakistan to act against terrorists.
Pakistan reacted as a show of its strength and capability by downing an Indian Mig 21 and captured its pilot and lost one of their F 16. Clearly, it was a misadventure.
India has been successful in isolating Pakistan during the last few years as global demand for action against terrorism has grown with a number of developed nations becoming victims of terrorism. In this international war against terrorism, Pakistan has found to be wanting.
Not equipped to take on India in a full scale war, Pakistan has been bleeding it with proxy war. It has allowed terrorist groups to set shop in its country, to infiltrate into India, indulge in terrorist activity and slip back into Pakistan. The fact that terrorist camps are being run inside Pakistani territory is known to the entire international community though strongly denied by Pakistani administration.
As India gears up for the General Elections, the message has gone out loud and clear that for Indians, the nation comes before party and politics.
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