Author: Prof. Engr. Zamir Ahmed Awan, Founding Chair GSRRA, Sinologist, Diplomat, Editor, Analyst, Advisor, Consultant, Researcher at Global South Economic and Trade Cooperation Research Center, and Non-Resident Fellow of CCG. (E-mail: awanzamir@yahoo.com).

The recent surge in tensions between India and Pakistan following the tragic Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of 26 people, has reignited long-standing concerns over India’s aggressive posturing, its pattern of false flag operations, and its dangerous slide toward extremism under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. While the global community calls for restraint and impartial investigation, New Delhi appears determined to exploit the incident as a pretext to escalate hostilities with Pakistan. This calculated move not only destabilizes South Asia but also poses a grave threat to global peace and security.

India’s History of False Flag Operations

India's current claims against Pakistan in connection with the Pahalgam attack are not new. The country has a documented history of using false flag operations to justify aggressive action. The most notorious example is the 2001 Indian Parliament attack, which was immediately blamed on Pakistan-backed groups, despite several inconsistencies and unanswered questions. Similarly, the 2008 Mumbai attacks were used to exert diplomatic pressure on Pakistan, yet serious questions linger regarding internal lapses and the convenient scapegoating of Pakistan.

In 2016, India claimed to have conducted "surgical strikes" across the Line of Control in response to an alleged militant attack in Uri. No independent verification was ever provided, and Pakistan denied any such incursion took place. Again in 2019, India carried out an airstrike in Balakot following the Pulwama attack. The Indian media celebrated the mission as a grand success, but independent satellite imagery and on-ground reports indicated the attack caused no significant damage—except to a few trees.

These events are consistent with a pattern: a high-profile attack takes place, Pakistan is immediately blamed without credible investigation, and India responds militarily or diplomatically to project strength domestically. The cycle repeats, strengthening the ruling party’s nationalist credentials while sidestepping real issues like governance, poverty, and social harmony.

Modi’s Extremist Legacy and Anti-Muslim Policies

At the heart of India’s current belligerence lies an unsettling truth: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has consistently pursued an extremist, anti-minority agenda. His political rise is inextricably linked to the 2002 Gujarat riots, where over a thousand people—mostly Muslims—were massacred under his watch as Chief Minister. Human rights organizations worldwide, including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, condemned the state’s complicity and Modi’s failure to prevent the violence.

The United States once denied Modi a visa over his alleged role in the Gujarat massacre, a decision mirrored by several European countries. These travel bans were lifted only after he became Prime Minister, driven more by realpolitik than exoneration.

Under his leadership, India has seen an alarming rise in religious intolerance, mob lynchings of Muslims, discriminatory laws like the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), and the revocation of Article 370, stripping Jammu and Kashmir of its special status. Modi's government has actively eroded secularism and emboldened extremist groups like the RSS—his ideological parent—which advocates Hindu supremacy.

India’s current National Security Advisor, Ajit Doval, is another controversial figure. Reports suggest his alleged involvement in a covert operation that led to the death of an American national in a third country. His name appears in multiple security dossiers, and according to credible sources, he faces legal restrictions on travel to the United States and Europe. It is troubling that such individuals are entrusted with crafting India’s national security and foreign policy.

Exporting Terrorism: India’s Global Footprint

Recent investigations in North America have uncovered India’s alleged involvement in cross-border terrorism. Canada is currently probing the assassination of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau publicly accusing India of orchestrating the killing on Canadian soil. The United States has similarly uncovered plots linked to Indian operatives targeting Sikh leaders.

Pakistan has long accused India of fomenting unrest through covert operations, especially in Balochistan, where Indian intelligence agent Kulbhushan Jadhav was arrested in 2016. Jadhav confessed to coordinating subversive activities, a claim India initially denied but later confirmed he was indeed a naval officer.

India’s role in funding extremist groups in Bangladesh, covertly operating in Myanmar's border areas, and using its embassies in the UAE and Qatar for espionage activities has drawn international scrutiny. Even Saudi Arabia has expressed concerns over India’s growing intelligence footprint and its potential to destabilize friendly Muslim nations.

The Global Reaction: Rising Concern Over India’s Aggression

The recent episode following the Pahalgam attack has evoked widespread concern. The United States has urged restraint and emphasized cooperation. Vice President JD Vance specifically called on Pakistan to assist in tracking down the culprits but stopped short of endorsing India’s retaliatory stance. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in a balanced message, encouraged India to work with Pakistan to ensure regional peace.

The European Union condemned terrorism unequivocally but maintained its position on de-escalation and dialogue. UK Foreign Minister David Lammy emphasized the importance of diplomacy in his conversation with Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar.

Protests in major cities—London, Paris, New York, and Melbourne—signal global discomfort with India's narrative. Demonstrators have condemned the scapegoating of Pakistan and demanded impartiality in the investigation. These developments underscore a growing awareness of India’s tactics and a reluctance among global powers to support its aggressive posturing unconditionally.

Pakistan’s Responsible and Mature Conduct

In stark contrast to India’s inflammatory rhetoric, Pakistan has responded with calm and dignity. Islamabad has called for a neutral and transparent investigation into the Pahalgam incident. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to peace and regional stability, stating that only through dialogue and justice can lasting peace be achieved.

Pakistan’s decision to take the matter to international forums, instead of retaliating with force, has been praised by neutral observers. The country has also taken steps to prevent further escalation by suspending bilateral pacts only after India unilaterally revoked treaties like the Indus Waters Treaty. These steps illustrate Pakistan’s maturity and its desire to avoid a catastrophic conflict.

China’s Decisive and Timely Support

China has played a critical and stabilizing role in the current crisis. As Pakistan’s trusted strategic partner, Beijing has reaffirmed its support for Pakistan’s sovereignty and legitimate security concerns. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi publicly endorsed Pakistan’s call for a neutral investigation and reiterated that unilateral actions by any party must be avoided.

China’s ambassador to Pakistan, Jiang Zaidong, held crucial talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, conveying China’s strong support. At a time when Indian aggression threatens to push the region into war, China’s voice of reason has brought much-needed balance. Beijing’s firm stance has prevented India from unilaterally escalating the crisis and potentially dragging South Asia into a nuclear confrontation.

Moreover, China’s recent disengagement with India in Eastern Ladakh, specifically in Depsang and Demchok, sends a clear message: peace must prevail, and India’s aggressive regional posture will not go unchecked.

A Call for Global Responsibility

India’s increasingly aggressive posture, backed by false narratives and extremist ideologies, is not just a threat to Pakistan but a danger to all of South Asia and beyond. Under Prime Minister Modi, India has repeatedly shown a willingness to use violence and deception to achieve political and ideological goals. His administration’s discriminatory policies, historical complicity in mass violence, and alleged links to global assassination plots paint a worrying picture.

Pakistan, despite facing severe provocation, has acted with responsibility and restraint. It has extended a hand of cooperation and called for transparent justice. In this volatile context, the global community must recognize where the threat truly lies and act to prevent further escalation.

China’s decisive support to Pakistan, both diplomatically and morally, has been instrumental in preventing a broader crisis. Peace in South Asia hinges on a collective global effort to hold aggressors accountable and to stand by those advocating for justice, neutrality, and regional harmony.

The world must rise above political convenience and act decisively—for peace, for truth, and for a secure future.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)