New Delhi: In a clear display of international solidarity, prominent leaders and nations have rallied behind India’s Operation Sindoor targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
Defying the usual diplomatic calls for de-escalation in conflicts involving nuclear-armed nations, endorsements from the United Kingdom, France, Israel, the Netherlands, the United States, and Panama signal India’s growing global influence and a shared recognition of the urgent need to combat Pakistan-based terrorism.
This unprecedented support is being seen as a shift in international sentiment, driven by India’s strengthened diplomatic ties under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the world’s increasing acknowledgment of Pakistan’s role in harboring terrorist groups.
UK Foreign Minister David Lammy was amongst the first to express strong support, stating that India is right to feel outrage at this terrible attack on 22 April and called upon Pakistan to do more to tackle the terror threat within its own borders.
According to senior officials, who spoke to the Sunday Guardian, this development should be seen as the result of India’s sustained focus on investing on its relationship with other countries, without seeking any favours in return.
Similarly, UK MP and former PM Rishi Sunak while endorsing India’s strike on terrorist infrastructure, declared that no nation should have to accept terrorist attacks being launched against it from another country.
Another UK MP Priti Patel while backing the operation, asserted that India has the right to take reasonable steps to defend itself and dismantle the vile terrorist infrastructure that threatens it.
France, a key European ally, too issued a robust statement through its Foreign Office, condemning the terrorist attack in Pahalgam and expressing its full solidarity with India, affirming that France supports India in its fight against terrorist groups.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot further expressed understanding about India’s desire to protect itself from terrorism, balancing support with a call for measured action to protect civilian lives.
Israel, a steadfast partner of India , especially in counter-terrorism, voiced unequivocal backing through its Ambassador to India, Naor Gilon, who said that Israel supported India’s right of self-defence and that terrorists should know there is no place to hide from their heinous crimes against the innocent.
In the Netherlands, MP Geert Wilders tweeted his support, stating that Kashmir is 100% Indian and using the hashtag #PakistanBehindPahalgam to highlight Pakistan’s role in the attack.
In the United States, Congressman Thanedar emphasized that terrorism cannot be tolerated and it cannot go unpunished, expressing firm solidarity towards India’s efforts to dismantle the extremists networks and affirming India’s right to defend its people.
Panama, a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, added its voice, with its Ministry of Foreign Affairs stating that The Republic of Panama stands with India in this tragic loss and in the ongoing fight against terrorism, showcasing India’s diplomatic reach into Latin America.
The significance of this international backing cannot be overstated, officials said.
Military operations across borders, particularly between nuclear-armed neighbors like India and Pakistan, typically elicit cautious responses urging restraint to prevent escalation.
However, the explicit endorsements from major Western powers, Israel, and Panama reflect a growing global consensus that terrorism must be confronted decisively.
India’s proactive diplomacy, including briefings to nations like the U.S., UK, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Russia following the operation, has fostered greater understanding of its security challenges. The Pahalgam attack, attributed to Pakistan-based groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba, has amplified international calls for Pakistan to dismantle terror networks, as echoed by David Lammy’s statement.
The endorsements from prominent global leaders and nations mark a pivotal moment in India’s long-standing fight against cross-border terrorism. By securing such widespread support, India has reinforced its position as a responsible global actor combating a shared threat. The collective resolve to hold terrorists accountable and uphold national sovereignty against terrorism resonates across these statements, highlighting a new chapter in the global fight against extremism.