IR Simplified: Does Pakistan Sponsor Terrorism?

There is ample evidence even without Kalbushan Yadav that terrorist groups like BLA and TTP are “Indian proxies”. Yet, Modi regime's strategy to isolate Pakistan by labelling it is as a state that exports terrorism was in full swing for a decade, dying only after the botched op Sindoor. A few points to ponder apropos this propaganda are:

1.    Afghan War and 9/11: They say a picture is worth a thousand words. There are many such pictures from 1980s, but one will more than suffice to explain USA’s Operation Cyclone, spearheaded by the CIA. POTUS, Ronald Reagan, in White House’s Oval Office, with Afghan Commanders, brothers in arms against Communist Soviet Union. The US became sole superpower in a unipolar world order after the disintegration of USSR, labelling old allies as enemies and terrorists after 9/11 attacks.

2.    Rise of Islamophobia and Hindutva: Post 9/11, during the so-called war on terror, the land was fertile enough to sow the seeds of hatred against Islam. The Mujahideen became Terrorists, Jihad became Terrorism and Muslims became terrorist supporters/sympathizers. In 2002, in Indian state of Gujarat, religious violence under the leadership of Chief Minister Modi resulted in attacks of local Muslims. His entry in USA was banned by authorities based on “severe violations of religious freedom” in 2005. His party, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has close links with extreme-right paramilitary organization Rashtriya Swayamsenak Sangh (RSS).

3.    2007 Attack on Samjhota Express and RSS: It was a train connecting Delhi and Lahore; 2 of its carriages were destroyed by bombs in an attack that killed around 70 people. National Investigation Agency (NIA) charged many, including a Hindu cleric previously affiliated with RSS. The bombing was also alleged to Abhinav Bharat, a Hindutva group whose members were arrested in the Malegaon bombing case of 2006. There are many other such terrorist incidents over the span of past 2 decades, not to mention the persecution of minorities in ‘secular’ India.

4.    Jaishankar’s Claims against Pakistan: During 2023 SCO meet in Goa, Indian External Affairs Minister Jaishankar did not shake hands with Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, accusing him as a “promoter, justifier and spokesperson of terror industry”. This not only violates the centuries old diplomatic code of conduct but also demonstrates the malicious anti-Pakistan propaganda campaign of senior Indian government officials.

5.    EU Disinfo Lab’s Indian Chronicles: Revealed in 2020, it’s a 15 year-long operation running since 2005, containing fake media outlets, identity thefts of many prominent activists including Prof. Louis who died in 2006, 550 plus domains registered, 10 UN accredited NGOs resurrected etc. The aim was to reinforce pro-India and anti-Pakistan sentiments by targeting EU and UN.

6.    Indian Intervention in Other Countries: From Mumbai attacks to recent Pahalgam tragedy, India blames Pakistan blindly and calls it ‘exporter of terrorism’. However, arrest of Kulbhushan Yadav in Pakistan, Indian forced involvement in neighbouring countries like Sri Lanka and Maldives, claims of Canada about Indian involvement in assassination of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar and close ties with Taliban government in Afghanistan are few of the examples that need to be probed thoroughly against India.

7.    Pakistan is a victim of terrorism: After paying a tremendous price while fighting the menace of terrorism as a major non-NATO US ally, it is beyond comprehension that Pakistan will be involved with terrorists.

8. Terrorists or Freedom fighters: Israeli Prime Ministers David Ben-Gurion and Menachem Begin were wanted by British authorities for terrorist acts in 1940s, yet they were heroes of Palestinian Jews. The organizations like Irgun and Haganah, the paramilitary organizations that paved way for Israel were terrorist groups hunted by British. The powers of our global system can change the label overnight, from friends to enemies and mujahideen to terrorists. Think about it.