Washington, DC [US]: India has achieved a clear diplomatic and military victory following its precision strikes against terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), according to Michael Rubin, former Pentagon official and senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI).
In an interview with media, Rubin emphasized that Islamabad is “militarily shocked” by the intensity and precision of Operation Sindoor, launched by India in response to the Pahalgam terror attack in April that claimed 26 civilian lives.
“India Changed the Global Narrative”
Rubin stated that India successfully turned global attention towards Pakistan’s state-sponsored terrorism.
“India won both diplomatically and militarily. All global focus is now on Pakistan’s sponsorship of terrorism,” he said. “The fact that Pakistani officers in uniform attended the funerals of terrorists underscores the blurred lines between terror outfits and the military establishment in Pakistan.”
Rubin added that this shift in global perception will lead to international pressure on Pakistan to “extract the rot from its own system.”
Military Setback for Pakistan
India’s swift retaliation and sustained strikes, Rubin noted, left the Pakistani military in disarray.
“Pakistan has started every single war with India, but deluded itself into thinking it won. This time, it cannot deny the defeat. Pakistan went running to seek a ceasefire like a scared dog with its tail between its legs,” he remarked bluntly.
Calling the Pakistani military “incompetent” and a “cancer on Pakistani society,” Rubin questioned whether Army Chief Asim Munir could survive the fallout of the failure.
Operation Sindoor: A Justified Response
Rubin underscored that India was forced into conflict after suffering a major terrorist attack.
“This wasn’t a conflict India wanted. It was foisted upon India. Every sovereign nation has the right to defend its citizens. India simply drew a red line—terrorist attacks across the border will not be tolerated.”
US Role in De-escalation
Rubin confirmed that during the crisis, the US engaged diplomatically with both India and Pakistan behind the scenes to prevent escalation.
“It is obvious that the US would be in touch with New Delhi and Islamabad during such a tense period. Washington often serves as a conduit for backchannel diplomacy.”
Responding to former President Donald Trump’s claim that his administration played a key role in halting a “potential nuclear conflict,” Rubin offered a pointed observation:
“Donald Trump likes to claim credit for everything. If you ask him, he single-handedly won the World Cup, invented the Internet, and cured cancer. Indians should not take him literally.”
India Reiterates Its Position on Kashmir
Meanwhile, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) reiterated that Jammu and Kashmir is an internal matter and the only outstanding issue is the vacation of Pakistan-occupied territory.
“Our position is clear—any issue related to Jammu and Kashmir must be addressed bilaterally. The outstanding issue is the illegal occupation of our territory by Pakistan,” said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal during a press briefing.
He also confirmed that from May 7 to May 10, India and the US maintained constant dialogue on the evolving military situation, but trade issues were not discussed, contrary to President Trump’s remarks.
Trump’s Claims on Ceasefire and Trade
President Donald Trump told the media on Monday that his administration had brokered a ceasefire between India and Pakistan, adding that he leveraged trade as an incentive.
“We helped broker an immediate cessation of hostilities. I said, ‘If you stop it, we’re doing trade. If you don’t, we’re not.’ We stopped a nuclear conflict. Millions could have died,” Trump said.
Indian officials, however, emphasized that the ceasefire was reached through direct communication between the DGMOs (Director Generals of Military Operations) of India and Pakistan, with no link to trade.
Conclusion
India’s handling of Operation Sindoor has not only neutralized immediate threats but has also exposed Pakistan’s terror links on the global stage. As international scrutiny on Islamabad intensifies, New Delhi has reasserted its sovereignty while showcasing its military preparedness and diplomatic agility.