India Hails US Move to Blacklist TRF
India has warmly welcomed the United States move to designate The Resistance Front (TRF) as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). The US has acted days after the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, that left 25 tourists dead, including a Nepali national. TRF, a proxy for the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), had taken responsibility.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has described the step as a strong reaffirmation of India-US counter-terrorism cooperation. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) termed it a timely and significant move. India responded to the attack by launching Operation Sindoor, dehiscing relations with Pakistan, and cancelling major agreements. The US, on its part, offered condolences and vowed assistance.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar tweeted on X to express gratitude to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. He thanked the US Secretary of State for the designation of TRF as an FTO and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). The action, he stated, demonstrates "zero tolerance for terrorism" and consolidates India-US collaboration in the fight against terror.
He tweeted, "A resounding endorsement of India-US anti-terror cooperation. Thank @SecRubio and @StateDept for designating TRF—a proxy of Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT)—as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). It was behind the April 22 Pahalgam attack. Zero tolerance for Terrorism. #OpSindoor."
The Ministry of External Affairs also welcomed the decision in another statement. It asserted that India has always emphasized the imperative of global coordination against terrorism.
The TRF designation, it added, is both "timely and significant" and indicates a profound India-US counter-terrorism cooperation. "India remains committed to a policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism and will continue to work closely with its international partners," it added.
TRF is a Pakistan-based shadow outfit of Lashkar-e-Taiba, already proscribed as a terrorist organisation. It took responsibility for the April 22 attack in Pahalgam's Baisaran meadow, also referred to as 'mini Switzerland'. The attack was the deadliest one in the Valley after the 2019 Pulwama attack.
The US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, confirmed the listing under Section 2019 of the Immigration and Nationality Act and Executive Order 13224. The amendments will take effect upon publication in the Federal Register. The Department of State also retained LeT's FTO designation and added TRF and its aliases thereto.
India initiated Operation Sindoor after the attack. The operation, whose details are classified, led to a diplomatic build-up. India terminated diplomatic relations with Pakistan. India suspended visa services to Pakistani citizens and suspended the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960.
Pakistan retaliated by denying Indian airlines use of its airspace. Islamabad also said that any diversion of water under the treaty would be considered an "Act of War".
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth addressed Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. He offered condolences and confirmed strong American support to India.
In turn, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor headed an Indian delegation to Washington. The delegation had what was termed an "excellent meeting" with US Vice President JD Vance. They gave him a briefing on Operation Sindoor. Significantly, Vance had called on New Delhi just ahead of the April 22 attack.
India regards the US action as symbolic, but more than that, too. It represents a shift toward mutual responsibility in confronting cross-border terror, with both countries holding firm.
