Operation Sindhur and the Shift in U.S. President Trump’s Stance on Pakistan
Following India’s decisive Operation Sindhur, there has been a significant turnaround in U.S. President Donald Trump’s policy towards Pakistan. Trump’s recent praise of Pakistan’s leaders and the change in U.S. approach reflect deeper geopolitical recalibrations.
Background: Operation Sindhur
Operation Sindhur was launched based on intelligence reports highlighting continuous support from Pakistan to terrorist groups targeting India. Organizations like Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Hizbul Mujahideen receive well-coordinated funding, infrastructure, ideology, and military assistance from Pakistan’s army and its intelligence agency ISI.
In response to the terrorist attacks in Pulwama, India carried out missile strikes inside Pakistan territory, which Pakistan failed to stop despite retaliating with over 400 drone and missile attacks. Nevertheless, these weapons did not breach Indian air defense.
India retaliated by targeting Pakistan’s air defense systems and key military airbases, causing severe damage. This military pressure led Pakistan, a nuclear-armed state, to seek peace talks aimed at halting the conflict. India made it clear that any cross-border terrorist attacks would be treated as an act of war, warning of further strikes.
Pakistan’s Open Support for Terrorism
Pakistan’s military leaders publicly attended funerals for killed terrorists and accorded them state honors, revealing the explicit link between Pakistan’s establishment and terrorism. India emphasized that any dialogue with Pakistan would be limited strictly to the issue of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and nothing else.
India also suspended the Indus Water Treaty unilaterally without respecting Pakistan’s timeline, signaling its refusal to cooperate on water sharing given Pakistan’s hostile stance.
Nuclear Threats and Regional Security
India warned Pakistan that it would not tolerate nuclear threats or the first use of nuclear weapons without reconsideration. Pakistan’s multiple terror ties and military failures have raised concerns of internal security threats from groups like Balochistan Liberation Army and Taliban factions within Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Trump’s Change in Policy
President Trump’s praise for Pakistan’s leaders and his backing of Pakistan’s military, including endorsing the elevation of Pakistan’s army chief to Field Marshal, marks a sharp policy shift. This has caused confusion among U.S. officials given India’s growing trade relations with the U.S. and ongoing negotiations.
India’s Diplomatic Offensive
India has launched a broad diplomatic campaign, sending parliamentary and government delegations to seven strategic regions worldwide, including four non-permanent members of the UN Security Council—Sierra Leone, Algeria, Panama, and Guyana—to highlight Pakistan’s support for terrorism.
European Union countries and Arab states have also voiced support for India’s right to self-defense. However, China continues to provide military support to Pakistan, while Turkey has been identified by India as a problematic actor. India has chosen not to send delegations to Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, or Sri Lanka, despite their growing ties with Pakistan.
Israel, severely affected by terrorism itself, has endorsed India’s right to self-defense but India has not dispatched delegations there, emphasizing Israel’s role in condemning terror and exposing terrorists.
Geopolitical Implications
While Trump initially declared a ceasefire between India and Pakistan and expressed willingness to mediate, India has consistently rejected any third-party mediation on Kashmir. Pakistan’s desire to perpetuate the conflict to provoke a nuclear war remains a concern. Trump’s statements praising his role in preventing nuclear war indirectly support Pakistan’s narrative.
Recently, Trump praised Pakistan’s leaders more than even China and other Muslim nations have, possibly influencing Pakistan’s military to elevate its chief to Field Marshal.
Conclusion
Operation Sindhur and the subsequent shift in U.S. policy have highlighted India’s growing resolve to counter terrorism and protect national sovereignty. While India has inflicted severe blows to Pakistan’s terrorist infrastructure, Trump’s contradictory stance complicates the geopolitical landscape.
India continues to strengthen its diplomatic and intelligence efforts globally while maintaining a tough stance against Pakistan’s support for terrorism. The situation demands continued vigilance as India navigates the complexities of regional security and international relations.
