Hello World, India Calling

India faces terrorism not as an isolated threat but as a systematic challenge from Pakistan, which uses it as state policy. Successive governments' efforts for dialogue have failed, prompting a shift under PM Modi’s leadership. India’s proactive doctrine, exemplified by Operation Sindoor, emphasizes strategic resolve and global engagement. A unified political approach and expanded preventive diplomacy aim to counter apathy and indifference, safeguarding India’s sovereignty and security while shaping global understanding.

In his incisive article published in The Times of India, Syed Akbaruddin, India’s former permanent representative to the United Nations, examines India’s evolving approach to terrorism, a challenge that has remained at the forefront of its national security concerns for decades. Akbaruddin underscores how terrorism, often state-sponsored by Pakistan, has been a persistent and systematic challenge for India, necessitating a recalibration of its response under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.

For India, terrorism is not a distant or abstract concept but a harsh and recurring reality. While other countries may address terrorism as a law-and-order issue, India faces a unique threat — a neighboring state that uses terrorism as an instrument of state policy. Despite sustained efforts over the years, including dialogue and cooperative mechanisms such as the 2004 joint statement between Prime Minister Vajpayee and President Musharraf and the India-Pakistan Anti-Terrorism Mechanism of 2006, Pakistan’s duplicity has rendered past agreements ineffective. Even blatant attacks like 26/11 and the Pathankot airbase incident have elicited denials and obfuscation from Pakistan.

Under Modi’s leadership, however, India has adopted a decisive and proactive stance. The recent Operation Sindoor, a cross-border counter-terror response to the Pahalgam massacre, symbolizes a doctrinal shift. The Modi government has made it unequivocally clear that there will be no distinction between terrorists, their organizations, and their state sponsors. This new doctrine replaces strategic restraint with strategic resolve, linking national security with foreign policy and public diplomacy.

This recalibrated stance is not about escalation but credibility and deterrence. What makes this moment unique is the unprecedented political unity across the Indian spectrum on the issue of terrorism. Political parties, despite their ideological differences, have converged on the view that terrorism is a national threat, not a partisan issue. This rare coherence strengthens India’s internal resolve and global credibility.

India is also launching a bold public diplomacy initiative. Seven groups of parliamentarians, representing the diversity of Indian politics, will engage with international stakeholders to communicate India’s position more effectively. This “whole-of-society” approach reflects India’s pluralistic democracy and its determination to no longer absorb terror passively.

Akbaruddin highlights India’s innovative approach to preventive diplomacy. Traditionally aimed at averting conflicts, India has expanded this concept to include preempting global apathy and diplomatic ambiguity before the next act of terror occurs. By shaping global understanding and raising the cost of inaction for those who enable or rationalize terrorism, India is setting new benchmarks in counter-terrorism diplomacy. This multi-layered approach involves clear articulation of doctrine, international engagement, and broad public outreach targeting not just governments but also civil society, think tanks, media, and global opinion leaders.

India does not seek privileges or exemptions from global norms; rather, it seeks the basic sovereign right to protect its people. When this right is repeatedly challenged, action becomes a duty, not vengeance. India’s efforts are forward-looking, aiming to reshape the global response to terrorism and prevent future attacks.

As Akbaruddin concludes, the world must take note of India’s proactive stance. Waiting for another attack to act would be a grave mistake. India’s innovative approach to combating terror offers a model for nations grappling with similar challenges while reinforcing the need for a united global front against terrorism.

Mr. Syed Akbaruddin served as India’s permanent representative to United Nations, and is member of one of the MPs’ groups. Here below is the link to the article published by Times of India.

 https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/toi-edit-page/hello-world-india-calling/