24th September, 2016. Speaking in Kerala, as reported by Dawn newspaper, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared, “We will isolate you. I will work for that.” And, “We will intensify it (our efforts) and force you to be alone all over the world.”
The speech preceded India’s boycott of the SAARC summit in Islamabad, seen as a move to diplomatically isolate Pakistan. Then, he went on to speak against Pakistan at the BRICS summit held in Goa, India, on 16th October, 2016.
These are just two examples from scores of others where India has tried its best to isolate Pakistan, frequently citing allegations of terrorism. It has developed a policy to leave no stone unturned to quarantine Pakistan from the international community over the last decade. It conveniently forgot to highlight its own role in being the epicentre of international terrorism during this time.
Despite overwhelming proof, it has not accepted its role in the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June 2023, who was a Canadian citizen and a Sikh separatist leader. Resultantly, in late 2024, Canada expelled six Indian diplomats, including the High Commissioner, blaming them for involvement in a wider state-sponsored campaign of extortion, intimidation and clandestine operations targeting the Sikh diaspora in Canada.
Similarly, in 2023, an assassination plot by Indian agencies was foiled in New York against Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a dual USA–Canada citizen and Sikh activist. Vikash Yadav, the accused, was identified by the FBI as a former officer of RAW. He evaded arrest and is wanted by the FBI.
These developments, while contested by India, have nevertheless initiated an international debate about India's indulgence in terrorism beyond its borders.
What I have witnessed in the last 96 hours—an unprofessional and extremely negative display of Indian emotions on their mainstream media—is sad. It is necessary to point out that the behaviour, language, false reporting and boasting witnessed during the India–Pakistan skirmish of 2025 still lead, by far, in its inanity.
India has the largest population in the world. It aspires to become a regional power. It desires to become the third-largest economy on the planet sooner rather than later. It wishes to be given a seat on the United Nations Security Council, and has many other such great power ambitions.
Without discussing the validity or otherwise of these aspirations, logic dictates that, being the largest country both by land and population in SAARC, it should have welcomed the ceasefire brokered by Pakistan between the USA and Iran.
The Government of India condemned neither the martyrdom of Ayatollah Khamenei nor that of the 160 innocent schoolgirls in a missile attack on 28th February 2026
If America had carried out its threats and Iran had responded as per the news coming in, it would have led to unimaginable destruction. And if GCC countries had joined in, the theatre of war would have become an Armageddon. India would have been more affected than the rest of the world, with the sparks of war reaching its shores.
Instead, to put it diplomatically, it has been a sordid drama. The shouting, the wailing, the despair, and the disbelief put on display in mainstream Indian media are bizarre. Listening to Indian anchors makes one laugh at their plight.
Any mature country would have called a huddle of its civilian and military leadership across the political divide to assess the significant reduction in its stature. However, instead of undertaking a critical analysis of why Pakistan, and not India, has been instrumental in becoming the pivot of peace in the world, they continue to indulge in bad-mouthing Pakistan.
Indian channels and outlets like Times Now, Republic TV, Indian TV, WION and others have featured criticism of Pakistan’s mediation efforts. They have even questioned the veracity of the process, expressing scepticism and portraying the ceasefire as being overblown by Pakistani media. Some have also criticised the Indian government for its failure.
A deeper analysis is necessary to understand this bemoaning.
Pakistan, from the start of this conflict, publicly took a neutral stance. It condemned aggression by the countries involved. It strongly condemned the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in March 2026. Across the board in Pakistan, this act was denounced and labelled a violation of international law, with expressions of solidarity with Iran.
Secondly, Pakistan continued to engage with the USA. Efforts were made to keep communication channels open so that, if ceasefire discussions began, Pakistan could play a positive role, given its close relations with both the USA and Iran.
Thirdly, through mature and seasoned diplomacy, Pakistan kept on board China, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Türkiye, Qatar and other important world capitals. This earned Pakistan not only international prestige but also the standing to make a strong effort for a ceasefire between the adversaries.
India took the side of Israel. As per their own commentators, the visit of Prime Minister Modi on 26th–27th February 2026, and his closeness with Israel, placed it in the adversary box for Iran.
More importantly, the Government of India condemned neither the martyrdom of Ayatollah Khamenei nor that of the 160 innocent schoolgirls in a missile attack on 28th February 2026.
In the last 40 days, no meaningful effort was made by India to act as an interlocutor between the warring parties.
So, if you are not ready to take a position based on international law, how can you expect that, in such a high-stakes war, the parties would trust you? To earn that trust, one needs to learn from the civilian and military leadership of Pakistan, who have performed a miracle.
For India, this moment offers an opportunity for introspection rather than indignation. Aspirations of global leadership require not only economic and military strength but also diplomatic restraint, maturity and the ability to act as an honest broker.
Pakistan’s recent conduct has exhibited world-class finesse. It has maintained balance, engaged all sides, kept its partners in the loop and positioned itself as a credible interlocutor.
Public posturing and media frenzy are not the answer. While India was celebrating its imaginary success against Pakistan in its films, Dhurundur and Dhurundur 1.0, Pakistan was doing the groundwork to end this major war.
History gives very few chances to countries to write it. Pakistan did it with flying colours.