External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar on Monday credited Indian diplomacy for the U.S. decision to designate The Resistance Front (TRF), a Pakistan-backed terror outfit, as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO) and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT).
Speaking in the Lok Sabha during the debate on Operation Sindoor, Jaishankar said Pakistan continued to shield the TRF even after its involvement in deadly attacks on Indian soil had been widely exposed.
“TRF has twice claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam terror attack. Pakistan kept denying it. TRF has now been designated as a global terrorist organisation. Pakistan is still defending and shielding it,” he told the House.
Calling the U.S. designation a direct outcome of Indian diplomatic efforts, Jaishankar said:
“Thanks to our diplomacy, the TRF has been designated as a Global Terrorist Organisation by the U.S. government. The same Pakistani Foreign Minister who proudly said he defended the TRF is now saying — if the U.S. has done this, we accept it.”
The April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians, prompted India to launch Operation Sindoor. Jaishankar said the military action sent a clear and strong message to both Pakistan and the terror groups operating from its soil.
“Through Operation Sindoor, India sent a message — we will defend ourselves, and we will do so decisively,” he said.
Jaishankar also noted that only three countries, including Pakistan, opposed India’s response. The global sentiment, he said, was overwhelmingly in support of India’s right to self-defence.
“The world wanted to know what India was thinking; we gave a unified message — India is exercising its right to defend itself. There will be no mediation with Pakistan. We will not bow to Pakistan’s nuclear blackmail,” he asserted, dismissing speculation about third-party involvement.
The EAM added that the Quad countries and BRICS members, including China, condemned the Pahalgam attack and recognised India’s right to retaliate.
“BRICS countries supported us against terrorism and condemned the Pahalgam attack. China is also part of BRICS. Cross-border terrorism is now globally recognised. The world understands that Operation Sindoor is a fight against terrorism,” he said, highlighting the growing global alignment with India’s counterterrorism stance.
Jaishankar also called for unity across the political spectrum in backing the armed forces.
“We must stand firmly with our forces to foil any major attack,” he said, adding that India’s battle against terrorism is not only military but also diplomatic — and one the country is determined to win.
—IANS
