In an attempt to influence world opinion in favour of its surgical strikes against terror launch pads across the line of Control (loC), India on Thursday reached out to several countries and explained the situation and circumstances behind the move. As many as 25 envoys, including those from the P-5 countries, India’s neighbours and important partners like Germany, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia and Singapore were briefed by Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar about India’s position and what forced it to take the “tactical surprise move” against terror groups operating across the loC.
“What would you have done in our situationIJ” the FS is learnt to have told the envoys as he explained to them that this was not a military operation against the Pakistan Army but a counter-terror operation taken in self-defence after India got credible information about the infiltration plans of terrorists from these launching pads.
India also explained that in the last eight week its forces foiled 19 infiltration bids, while nine major terror attacks took place during this period. Four terrorists were caught alive in the last four weeks.
India explained that there was a pattern to these terror attacks which were not mere accidental but carried an imprint of clear proof of military training to the terrorists.
India said despite repeatedly telling Pakistan to act against these terror groups there was no action from Islamabad which forced India to act against these terrorists who could have been inside its boundary any time to cause massive devastation to both Indian citizens and foreigners.
Sources also said India told the envoys, “What would you have done if in our situationIJ”
Incidentally, just hours before the counter-terror operation, National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval spoke to the United States of America’s NSA Susan Rice, where he explained the situation in the region and the growing threat from Pak-sponsored terrorism.
Rice condemned the September 18 “cross-border” terror attack on the Indian Army Brigade headquarters in Uri and talked about the need for Pakistan to take effective action against United Nations-designated entities and individuals.
“Ambassador Rice affirmed President Obama’s commitment to redouble our efforts to bring to justice the perpetrators of terrorism throughout the world. Highlighting the danger that cross-border terrorism poses to the region, Ambassador Rice reiterated our expectation that Pakistan take effective action to combat and de-legitimize United Nations-designated terrorist individuals and entities, including lashkar-e-Tayyeba, Jaish-e-Muhammad, and their affiliates. In the context of the robust US-India partnership, Ambassador Rice discussed our shared commitment with India to pursuing peace and regional stability and pledged to deepen collaboration on counter-terrorism matters including on UN terrorist designations,” White House’s National Security Council Spokesperson Ned Price said on Thursday.
The US State Department, however, called for “de-escalation of the political discourse between the two countries and greater communication, coordination” between India and Pakistan. State Department Deputy Spokesperson Mark Toner said it would continue to put pressure on Pakistan to respond to those groups who are seeking safe haven on its borders.
Backing India’s action, Bangladesh said India has the “legal and internationally-accepted right” to respond to any attack on her sovereignty and territory even as it called for “restraint” from all sides. Iqbal Chowdhury, Adviser to Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said in Dhaka to news agencies.
He added Kashmir is a “bilateral dispute” and there has been a “violation from the other side” while pointing fingers towards Pakistan. “Bangladesh always believes that any aggression or attack on the sovereignty of the independence and legal right of a country is not acceptable and Bangladesh always feels that any country must honour and respect the sovereignty of a third country,” he said.
“I think that the Indian Government and the people have all the right to rebuff and to combat any type of aggression from any quarter whether it is from a neighbouring country,” Chowdhury added.