New Delhi
Amidst India’s retaliation, Pakistan realized that its most trusted lifeline has also been taken away. If we look at history, Pakistan has been in a confrontation with India by confidence that if the situation is difficult, then America will help it, with whom it will run with SOS. But after India’s ‘Operation Sindoor’, America has also taken away soft landing facility from Pakistan.
Hollow threat of nuclear attack
It is important to remember the summer of 1999 to understand Pakistan’s mentality and understand its dependence on America, when Pakistan tried to capture Kargil’s strategically important hills.
India took a bold step despite being ready to go without punishing Pakistan. At that time, the army’s strike troops were asked to prepare to leave their base camp. At the same time, American spy satellite captured pictures of Indian tanks and heavy cannons being loaded on trains in Rajasthan. The message was clear that India was about to attack Pakistan to avenge infiltration into Kargil.
Before this move of the army, Pakistan was adopting a strategy of refusal and threats as usual. On public forums, the Nawaz Sharif government was denying Pakistan’s role in Kargil. At the same time, she was also indicating that if India dared to increase the struggle, then nuclear options can also be adopted.
Habit to ask for help from others
But as soon as Sharif came to know about the stir on the Indian border, he expressed his desire to meet US President Bill Clinton. At the meeting, Sharif agreed to recall his fighters from Kargil and restore the situation on the Line of Control (LOC). On July 12, Sharif was explaining to the country on TV that it is no longer necessary for intruders to live in Kargil. Soon after, the struggle in Kargil ended.
During the Kargil War, we know two important things by the behavior of Pakistan. First, despite its nuclear blackmail and boasting, Pakistan is reluctant to fight traditional war with India. Secondly, whenever he wants to save himself, he depends on Washington (or international community) to save his honor.
America gave a shock
But this time Washington has stopped the option of getting out in a respectable manner. Speaking to Fox News, US Vice President JD Vance denied Washington’s involvement in the ongoing struggle between India and Pakistan. He said, ‘What we can do is that try to encourage these people to reduce stress slightly, but we are not going to join the middle of the war, this is basically no work and it has nothing to do with America.’
Amidst the clear indication of Washington that India and Pakistan have been left to resolve the case, Republican leader Nikki Haley has dropped another bomb on Islamabad. Trump’s former ally Haley, in a post on X, defended India’s right to defend itself and retaliate after the Pahalgam terror attack. He insisted that Pakistan does not have the right to play the role of the victim.
Pakistan has been helpful of Pakistan
This time Washington’s neutrality is completely opposite to its pro -Pakistan stance during previous conflicts. In 1971, the US deployed its 7th fleet in the Bay of Bengal under the leadership of nuclear -powered aircraft careers USS Enterprise to stop India. Similarly in 2001, when both countries were on the verge of war after the terrorist attacks on the Indian Parliament, Washington sent his messengers to New Delhi to reduce the crisis.
A few years ago, as strategic affairs expert Brahma Chelani reported on X, which the Biden administration helped Pakistan upgrade the F-16 fleet. But Vance’s statement shows how far Washington has come since 1971 and how much it gives importance to relations with India.
Now only count friends are left
Till now, Pakistan’s support has been limited to only a few associate countries, mainly China, Türkiye and Azerbaijan. This reflects the growing separation of Pakistan, as traditional colleagues like Saudi Arabia and UAE have taken a balanced or pro -India stance. India’s diplomatic connectivity, including briefing to the G20 and Gulf countries, has collected a lot of sympathy for its anti-terrorism statement.
Since Kargil, India has moved out of the defensive stance and adopted an invading and counter -strategy, as seen in the 2016 surgical strikes and the 2019 Balakot air strike. This strategy of direct action has given India courage and reduced its dependence on international arbitration.
Meanwhile, Pakistan has become very dependent on its allies. Its weak economy, rising debt burden, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and unrest in Balochistan and weak political leadership have made traditional war unstable with India, due to which Islamabad has to try to get out in a diplomatic manner.
