TRF's terror tag bolsters India's case

Deccan Herald

4 days ago

The designation of The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), as a global terrorist organisation by the United States is a victory for India and a vindication of New Delhi's position on cross-border terrorism. It is significant in view of India's contention that the organisation was behind the April 22 Pahalgam attack. .TRF twice claimed responsibility for the attack though it later denied involvement, probably under pressure from its handlers across the border. India has mounted persistent diplomatic pressure on the US and other countries to recognise the existence of the terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan which is directed against India. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted that TRF had claimed responsibility also for other attacks, against Indian security forces. But it will be noted that Rubio did not name Pakistan, where the LeT is based..The US has described TRF as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO) and a front for the LeT. The LeT and Jaish-e-Mohammad have been marked for involvement in terrorist activities directed against India. Both organisations have been in the US FTO list from 2001. Pakistan has denied their existence while India has contended that both are active in that country. .India should continue its efforts to get TRF named as a terrorist outfit in the UN Security Council records. The UNSC resolution on the Pahalgam attack avoided mentioning TRF, under Pakistan's and China's pressure. The US designation will hopefully make the process easier, though Pakistan and China will continue to oppose it. The Ministry of External Affairs has welcomed the US decision and noted that it reflects the cooperation between India and the US on counter-terrorism. Earlier this year, the US had extradited Tahawwur Rana who was part of the conspiracy behind the 2008 Mumbai attack..While the US may have sent a positive signal to India with its stance on TRF, its position is not without contradictions. It has not fully accepted India's position on the Pahalgam attack and Pakistan's role in promoting terrorism in the country. Washington has played host to Pakistan's army and air force chiefs in recent weeks and sought to equate Pakistan with India. .The US and most other countries have the tendency to look at terrorism through the prism of their national interest and geopolitical considerations. India will have to initiate stronger diplomatic efforts to make its case fully heard and accepted. It will also not go unnoticed that the terrorists behind the Pahalgam attack are yet to be arrested.