It’s been 10 days since the dastardly attack on innocent tourists in Pahalgam and the initial shock and revulsion has somewhat withered, the caste census has contributed to it significantly. While war cries are dimming, the international reaction is slowly making a pattern. China’s reaction came after a week and as expected it has called for restraint on both sides and has also called for an impartial investigation, echoing Pakistan prime minister’s stance. Impartial probes don’t exist in international arena especially between belligerent states. This is indicative of China’s unwavering support for Pakistan and the greatest insurance for Pakistan. India will have to work hard on the diplomatic front to counter this. The US vice president, who was in India during the attack, has appealed to avoid any regional war and asked Pakistan to cooperate in bringing the perpetrators to justice. This is also not very reassuring for India. Russia has just advised its citizens to avoid visiting Pakistan and not taken any particular stand on the issue. While it may continue its S-400 sales to India, the response is not very comforting and our growing relations with the US has its own implications. So even after 10 days we don’t have enough international support at least to the point that in event of any punitive action against Pakistan, we would not be named aggressor. Our neighbourhood has not been vocal either. This might make isolating Pakistan and even enforcing Financial Action Task Force (FATF) restrictions difficult. To conclude our forces look prepared for everything but much is lacking on the diplomatic front. The foreign minister and the NSA need to rise to the occasion and stay clear from domestic politics for now.
