John Bolton, the ex-US National Security Advisor (NSA) to President Donald Trump (2018-2019) and ex-US Ambassador to the United Nations, has said that although nobody wishes to witness an increase in conflict in South Asia, India has every right to defend itself against Pakistan after the fatal Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, which killed 26 innocent civilians.
The assault was conducted by four terrorists, two of Pakistani origin, who allegedly selected victims on the basis of their religion.
In an interview with IANS, Bolton, who was the NSA during the Pulwama attack in February 2019 — also conducted by Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammad, which killed 40 CRPF personnel — showed serious concern over the prevailing instability in Jammu and Kashmir, brought about by ongoing terrorist activity from across the border.
"I believe it's extremely significant to keep the effort going to determine precisely what the conditions of this were. When I was National Security Advisor, we had a similar case in 2019, when there was a terrorist attack from Pakistani territory. We consulted in close consultation with senior government leaders," Bolton revealed.
"Back then, our perception was that if the government was sure that the attack had originated from Pakistan and the Pakistan government had either failed to stop the attack or had helped the attack, then India had all the right to act in self-defence," he went on. "I think the same rule applies here. It is in India's interest to show, as convincingly as possible, what the situation was to warrant a military response, if that's what they decide."
Bolton added that nobody desires a broader war in South Asia, but no country should be required to live under the shadow of terrorism. He again affirmed that a response to such an attack in self-defense is completely warranted.
Bolton also touched on Pakistan's longtime role in sponsoring terrorism, an issue the United States has had "in very difficult circumstances" to deal with for decades, most notably in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. He said, "We have been clear in Republican and Democratic administrations that state-sponsored terrorism is unacceptable. Terrorist activity emanating from Pakistani land will ultimately be charged to the government if they do nothing about it."
Various nations, including the US, have always acknowledged Pakistan's support for and harboring terror organizations such as Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad that have repeatedly targeted India.
"India has done the same in its own way, and its failure to deal with this problem is clearly frustrating. I think India is entitled to use military force, if it decides to do so, if it can prove the circumstances of the attack in self-defence," Bolton said. "I'm not proposing that the US intervene, nor do I believe either side would desire that, but political matters such as these should be resolved politically and not by terrorism."
Responding to recent provocative statements from Pakistani officials, including Railway Minister Hanif Abbasi’s claim that Pakistan's nuclear weapons are aimed "for India," Bolton dismissed the notion of a full-scale military confrontation between India and Pakistan. He stated, "I don’t think Pakistan wants a military confrontation with India. They understand the size and capability disparity between the two nations and the consequences of escalating conflict, particularly the risk of nuclear escalation."
Bolton added, "Provocative comments do not contribute to resolving the crisis. Whatever steps India may choose to take in self-defense are justified, but both must tackle the issue at the core: terrorism. India must not be exposed to terrorism, and Pakistan must make an effort so that these attacks don't take place."
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