India Signals Continued Firm Stance Against Pakistan Amid Cross-Border Tensions

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India appears poised to maintain a robust and uncompromising stance toward Pakistan, following a series of recent cross-border incidents and diplomatic exchanges. With the U.S. designating a Pakistan-backed terror group as a Foreign Terrorist Organization and India reaffirming its decision on the Indus Waters Treaty, New Delhi’s strategy signals a continued policy of applying pressure to its western neighbor.

The diplomatic landscape between India and Pakistan remains fraught, particularly in the aftermath of the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives. India unequivocally blamed Pakistan-based militant groups for the assault, triggering a period of heightened tensions and military actions in May. In response to the attack, India launched “Operation Sindoor,” targeting terror hubs within Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, leading to exchanges of drone and missile strikes.

A significant development on Saturday, July 19, 2025, saw the United States officially designate The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy organization of the Lashkar-e-Tayyiba, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, who recently engaged with U.S. officials, welcomed the move, stating it would “add pressure on Pakistan to curb its activities and bring it to heel.” This designation aligns with India’s long-standing efforts to garner international support against Pakistan-based terror networks.

Further underscoring India’s hardening posture, Home Minister Amit Shah reiterated in June that India would “never” restore the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), effectively putting the 1960 water-sharing agreement in abeyance. This decision, following the Pahalgam attack, was framed by India as a response to Pakistan’s alleged support of state-sponsored terrorism. While the state denies that all water will be stopped, the move itself is a significant signal of India’s willingness to use various levers, including economic ones, to exert pressure.

The Indian government’s approach appears to be a recalibration from previous strategies, focusing on a mix of calibrated military action, diplomatic isolation, and economic measures. This shift is aimed at imposing tangible costs on Pakistan for cross-border terrorism. While avoiding full-scale war, India has demonstrated its capacity for precision strikes and strengthened its air defense capabilities.

As the situation evolves, India’s consistent messaging and actions suggest that it will continue to demand verifiable steps from Pakistan to dismantle terror infrastructure operating from its soil. The ongoing diplomatic and strategic pressure highlights a new phase in India-Pakistan relations, where New Delhi is prepared to utilize all instruments of national power to address what it views as a persistent security threat.