Pahalgam, a well-known tourist destination celebrated for its beauty and tranquility, witnessed a horrific terrorist attack on May 22, 2025. In this attack, at least 27 tourists lost their lives, and many were injured. The attack was the deadliest terrorist strike on civilians in recent decades. The eyewitnesses reported that militants segregated men by asking their identity and executed only Hindus. The tactical selection of site and victims made this assault more symbolic: it dismantled the perception that tourism and normalcy were returning to the once-bloodied valley. The attack equally exposed India’s Kashmir Policy, PM Modi’s discourse that Kashmir has become a place for safe tourism, and the security of the region.
Immediately after the attack, India announced that the militants came from Pakistan without providing any evidence
Immediately after the attack, India announced that the militants came from Pakistan without providing any evidence. It blamed Pakistan for its involvement in the unfortunate incident, which Pakistan denied and declared it to be India’s false-flag operation, yet offered its cooperation in an impartial investigation under international investigators. Indian leadership did not show any interest in Pakistan’s offer and declared that they would go to any extent to pursue the culprits. In an immediate response, India unilaterally put the Indus Water Treaty in abeyance, downgraded diplomatic ties, and revoked Pakistani visas, freezing relations. Pakistan also responded by suspending bilateral trade, closing its airspace for Indian airplanes, and threatening to withdraw from the Shimla agreement.
“the gravest failures are often not of strength, but of imagination.”
The situation rapidly changed when India initiated military strikes, under the codename Operation Sindoor, on so-called terrorist camps inside Pakistan. It targeted nine sites, including places of worship, and resulted in at least 31 civilian deaths and over 40 injured. A few days later, Pakistan retaliated against Indian aggression, attacking military bases and installations, destroying five fighter jets and hundreds of drones. However, The India Express reported that the attack was not a random act of violence, but one exploiting security lapses. Several reports indicated that the intelligence warning was reportedly ignored or undercut due to poor coordination, leading one commentator to argue that “the gravest failures are often not of strength, but of imagination.”
“How can the UNSC claim to speak for the world when its most populous country, and its largest democracy, is not a permanent member?”
Over the years, India has been cultivating an image of rising power, framing its status as the world’s largest democracy and a leader of the Global South. Prime Minister Narendra Modi often stresses, “How can the UNSC claim to speak for the world when its most populous country, and its largest democracy, is not a permanent member?”. He depicts India as a leader of developing countries and a strong shoulder on which the rest of the nations can move forward. He insists on strategic autonomy in his foreign policy. Its stunts at the recent G20 presidency and defense partnerships projects its global ambitions.
However, the Pahalgam terrorist attack has not only exposed India’s discourse but also raised questions on India’s credibility. How can a country claim to be a global leader in stability when a few militants come and murder tourists deep inside its territory, and remain uncaptured? Analysts warn that these kinds of attacks expose the narratives of a secure and confident India. Chatham House, a think tank of International Affairs, maintains that India has been striving to downplay Jammu and Kashmir’s internationally contested status. Still, the Pahalgam attack has brought the Kashmir issue back to the international agenda, a big blow to Indian foreign policy.
India emerged as an irresponsible country, rushing to endanger the region and the world with nuclear threats
Moreover, the Pahalgam attack tested India’s aspiration of global power and strategic autonomy. India seemed to be in a rush to conduct strikes inside Pakistan. Pakistan’s response to Indian attacks exposed New Delhi’s military capabilities blatantly. India emerged as an irresponsible country, rushing to endanger the region and the world with nuclear threats. India flopped in acquiring international diplomatic support. And lastly, it knelt to US intervention and agreed to a ceasefire that frustrated many Indians. Brahma Chellaney, an Indian defense analyst, argued that India’s agreement to a truce under US intervention has drawn attention to the Kashmir dispute instead of a terrorist attack that led to the crisis.
In short, India’s self-painted image of rising global power has been shattered for a while as the crisis exposed the country’s military capabilities and credibility, diplomacy, media, and capacity for responsible behavior. This humiliation was not natural in terms of its occurrence; instead, it was imposed by RSS-inspired leadership in India itself.
Any misadventure of this severity will leave the region annihilated
First, India and Pakistan are responsible for settling disputes prudently and responsibly. The region faces an acute disorder, natural disasters, and a climate change crisis. Any misadventure of this severity will leave the region annihilated. As a relatively more substantial power, India has more responsibility to act as a peacemaker, not a troublemaker. Second, to ensure a peaceful and stable region, both countries and other regional and international stakeholders shall cooperate on a neutral, transparent, and credible inquiry under the UN or third-party auspices into the Pahalgam attack for which Pakistan has already agreed to cooperate.
Third, the two countries should promote people-to-people links to prevent hatred. The recent hatred in public against each other, primarily ignited by the Media, particularly Indian mainstream media, for the sake of TRPs, was a matter of great concern. Fourth, both countries shall cooperate on the issue of terrorism. If India has any solid evidence of terrorists operating from Pakistan, it should provide it to Pakistan and vice versa. In light of established evidence, the governments of both states must crack down on the involved groups responsible for destroying regional peace and prosperity. Lastly, concrete measures shall be taken to uphold the confidence and trust between the two nations. In this regard, restoring the status of the Indus War Treaty, re-enacting hotlines, reviving military and diplomatic dialogue, and revitalizing cultural and sports exchange can prevent both nations from going down the path of confrontation.
For India to achieve its global power aspirations—from a permanent membership at the UNSC to leadership of the Global South— it needs to act responsibly
The logic remains simple: South Asia is not in a state to afford another war. Given the challenges for both countries, such as the huge youth bulge, poverty, unemployment, climate change crises, and increasing global economic uncertainties, among others, stability and order are required, not conflict. For India to achieve its global power aspirations—from a permanent membership at the UNSC to leadership of the Global South— it needs to act responsibly, resolves its disputes instead of using them for brinksmanship, and contributes to regional peace and prosperity. Only in this way can it achieve the international community’s trust.
Likewise, Pakistan’s security and development depend on a peaceful neighborhood. For now, the Pahalgam incident and India’s precipitated response to the event have halted its great power dream back on earth; now both states should climb from the brink through dialogue, diplomacy, practical cooperation, and maximum restraint.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author. They do not represent the views, beliefs, or policies of the Stratheia.
