External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, while addressing the Lok Sabha on Monday's debate on Operation Sindoor, attributed Indian diplomacy for the United States' latest decision to designate The Resistance Front (TRF), a terror group supported by Pakistan, as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO) and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT).
Jaishankar squarely blamed Pakistan for protecting TRF, even though its role in the killing missions on Indian territory, including the April 22 Pahalgam massacre, was revealed at the global stage.
"TRF has claimed twice responsibility for the Pahalgam terror attack, but Pakistan persisted in its denials. In spite of its global terrorist designation, Pakistan is still a guardian of the TRF," Jaishankar told the session.
He claimed that the U.S. proscription of the group was a direct result of India's active diplomatic outreach. "Thanks to our diplomacy, TRF has now been designated as a Global Terrorist Organisation by the U.S. government. The same Pakistani foreign minister who proudly defended the TRF in the past now says, 'If the U.S. has acted, we accept it,'" Jaishankar further added.
The attack on Pahalgam that killed 26 civilians prompted India to undertake Operation Sindoor—a focused military action. Jaishankar described the operation as sending a strong signal to Pakistan and terror groups based there.
"Operation Sindoor was our clear message—we will defend ourselves, and we will do so decisively," he said.
Emphasizing international response, Jaishankar pointed out that just three nations, Pakistan being one of them, had voted against India. "The world was keen to know India's position, and we conveyed a collective message: India is assertin' its right to self-defence. No mediation. We will not succumb to the threat of Pakistan's nuclear button," he asserted, categorically spurning any third-party intervention in the conflict.
The minister also highlighted that India's position had won widespread international support. He noted that the Quad countries and BRICS members, including China, condemned the attack in Pahalgam and supported India's right to strike back.
"Even China, a member of BRICS, aligned with the others in condemning terrorism and recognizing our right to react. The world now sees Operation Sindoor for what it is—a emphatic battle against cross-border terrorism," Jaishankar said.
Appealing for solidarity, he called upon all political parties and citizens to rally behind the military. "We must all rally our forces in combating such threats. This is not only a military operation—it is a diplomatic war, and one that India is determined to emerge victorious from," he added.
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