Quad leaders condemn the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians and demand swift global action against its perpetrators and financiers (source-Getty images)
Pahalgam Horror: A Tragedy That United the Quad
On April 22, 2025, the serene Baisaran meadow in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam turned into a blood-soaked battlefield. Armed terrorists opened fire on tourists, killing 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen, and injuring several others. The attack, traced back to Pakistan-based terror outfits, sent shockwaves across the globe.
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In response, the Quad foreign ministers India, the United States, Japan, and Australia issued a joint statement from Washington, D.C., condemning the attack “in the strongest terms”. The statement described the massacre as a “reprehensible act” and demanded that the perpetrators, organizers, and financiers be brought to justice without delay.
The ministers also extended their deepest condolences to the victims’ families and urged all UN member states to fulfill their obligations under international law and UN Security Council resolutions to cooperate with investigations.
India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasized that “victims and perpetrators must never be equated,” asserting India’s right to defend its people. “The world must display zero tolerance,” he said, reinforcing India’s expectation that its Quad partners stand firm against terrorism.
Operation Sindoor: India’s Swift and Strategic Retaliation
India’s response to the Pahalgam attack was swift and decisive. On May 7, the Indian Armed Forces launched Operation Sindoor, a coordinated strike targeting nine terror infrastructures across Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK). The operation, conducted via land, air, and cyber assets, was described by Indian officials as a legitimate act of self-defense.
The strikes reportedly dismantled key training camps, communication hubs, and weapons depots used by terror groups operating with impunity across the border. India’s Ministry of External Affairs stated that the operation was “a calibrated response to an unprovoked act of terror against innocent civilians.”
The fallout was immediate. Pakistan condemned the strikes and mobilized its forces, leading to a brief escalation. However, by May 12, both nations agreed to a temporary ceasefire, halting further military engagements. Despite the de-escalation, India made it clear that future provocations would be met with equal or greater force.
The Quad leaders, while not directly endorsing Operation Sindoor, acknowledged India’s right to defend its citizens and reiterated their commitment to counterterrorism cooperation across the Indo-Pacific.
Global Implications: A New Era of Counterterrorism Diplomacy?
The Quad’s unified stance on the Pahalgam attack marks a significant shift in global counterterrorism diplomacy. For the first time, the alliance has gone beyond rhetoric to demand accountability for terror financing, a domain often shielded by geopolitical complexities.
This development could have far-reaching consequences:
- Increased pressure on Pakistan to dismantle terror networks operating from its soil
- Stronger enforcement of international financial regulations to track and freeze assets linked to terror groups
- Enhanced intelligence-sharing among Quad nations to pre-empt future attacks
- Greater diplomatic isolation for states that harbour or sponsor terrorism
India’s leadership in this space is being closely watched. With its growing global stature and strategic partnerships, New Delhi is uniquely positioned to reshape the narrative around cross-border terrorism from a regional grievance to a global security threat.
The Quad’s call for action also aligns with broader efforts at the United Nations, where India has long advocated for a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT). The Pahalgam attack may serve as a catalyst to revive stalled negotiations and push for a binding global framework.
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