BackIndia’s ‘surgical strikes’ across LoC: Here’s how the world reacted
A selection of reactions worldwide to decipher on who stands where on India's surgical strikes across the LoC
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The Indian Army’s surgical strike across the Line of Control into Pakistani territory has generated a measured and subdued response from major powers and foreign media. While India media focused on a nationalist narrative, Pakistani media, on the other hand, presented a picture of the events vastly different from New Delhi’s official statements on the raid. Here’s a selection of the reactions to help you better understand who stands where on the event.
The US’s response was measured although Washington did stress on Pakistan taking action against UN designated terrorists. The Japan Times quoted White House spokesman Josh Earnest that the US expects Pakistan “to combat and de-legitimize" UN-designated terrorists. At the same time, US stressed on its partnership with both India and Pakistan and urged the two countries to avoid escalation in their dispute over Kashmir.
Britain’s Foreign Office’s response, as reported by Hindustan Times , was, “We are monitoring the situation closely following reports of strikes carried out by the Indian Army over the LoC in Kashmir. We call on both sides to exercise restraint and to open dialogue."
China has called on both India and Pakistan to exercise restraint and refrain from escalation of tensions. PTI quoted Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang on Friday saying, “Since there have been tensions between India and Pakistan, China has been in communication with both the countries to exercise restraint, enhance communication and properly resolve differences."
Meanwhile, Global Times reported that India’s purchase of 36 Frech rafale fighter jets will improve India’s nuclear deterrence capabilities. The report said, “Increased arms imports into the Asian region are primarily due to the unstable security environment in the Middle East and concerns from China’s neighbours over its rise."
A report by Shashank Joshi on CNN says, “India’s decision to go public about a strike into Pakistan-controlled territory is a break with the past. He further warns, “But the more Narendra Modi gloats, the more Pakistan will be compelled to show it remains unbowed."
Deutsche Welle report said, “Both New Delhi and Islamabad have used the Kashmir unrest to their political advantage."
The United Nations has urged both India and Pakistan to exercise restraint and resolve their differences through dialogue. The Guardian referencing a UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric reported, “that officials were following the increase in tensions in Kashmir with great concern. UN military observers were in contact with both sides to try to obtain further information."
Pakistani media reports challenged Indian claims of surgical strikes and termed it as firing near the border. An editorial in The Express Tribune said, “The managed instability that characterizes the relationship between India and Pakistan is unraveling at what can only be described as an alarming rate." It further said, “Let us also be clear and unequivocal — if Pakistan is attacked by India it will respond in appropriate measure, but we hope and trust that point will not be reached and that cool heads and steady hands will ultimately prevail. Dial back on the hyperbole Mr Modi before you talk India — and Pakistan — into something both are going to regret."
A report on Dawn said, “Analysts in Pakistan feel India is using the term “surgical strike" to pander to Indian citizens who have been demanding action in the wake of the attack on India’s military base in Uri, which resulted in the death of two soldiers."
An article in The Diplomat analyzed India’s capabilities to carry out surgical strike. It said, “India is still on the cusp of building a sophisticated and modernized asymmetrical capability to conduct counterterror operations, while much of its forces are still organized and trained on Cold War models."
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