Latest news with #Kugelman
India.com
18-05-2025
- Politics
- India.com
‘Unreliable Ally': US Actions Push India Closer to ‘No-Drama' Partners Russia, France?
US foreign policy expert Michael Kugelman recently highlighted contrasting dynamics in India's bilateral relationships with key global players. Drawing from past incidents and diplomatic developments, he pointed to multiple moments over the past two decades that have tested Indian public perception of the United States as a strategic partner. While India maintains steady and long-standing relationships with countries such as Russia and France, ties with the US have at times encountered turbulence. Kugelman referred to this difference by describing India's interactions with Russia and France as 'no-drama', in contrast to more complex and occasionally strained episodes with Washington. There've been times over the last 2 decades when in India, public trust in US as a partner is called into question & contrasted w/India's reliable, no-drama relationships w/Russia, France etc. Khobragade affair, late US response to India COVID crisis, Pannun. And right now. — Michael Kugelman (@MichaelKugelman) May 15, 2025 In each case, these moments have been smoothed over on policy levels. But public perceptions of the US and its reliability as evinced by some key Indian constituencies continues to be an issue that flares up periodically. Properly addressing this remains a work in progress. — Michael Kugelman (@MichaelKugelman) May 15, 2025 He cited a few examples – the 2013 'Khobragade affair', in which Devyani Khobragade, then India's deputy consul general in New York, was arrested on charges related to visa fraud. The incident had led to a diplomatic standoff and public outcry in India. Another reference was made to the COVID-19 pandemic, during which the US response to India's health crisis drew criticism for its perceived delay. More recently, the 'Pannun case' – a reported plot to assassinate Khalistani leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, allegedly involving Indian agents – resurfaced concerns about bilateral trust. The US responded with a diplomatic warning to India, while authorities in India stated that they were reviewing the shared intelligence. Kugelman's comments also came in the backdrop of recent claims about former US President Donald Trump's involvement in India-Pakistan relations. According to reports, Trump intervened during a cross-border escalation between India and Pakistan, using trade-related pressure to influence India's response. While a ceasefire was eventually agreed upon, his public assertion of credit reignited discussions about the consistency and reliability of the US as a strategic partner. Other analysts also weighed in. Strategic affairs expert Brahma Chellaney said the episode highlights broader concerns about strategic alignment. Meanwhile, former Pentagon official Michael Rubin said that Trump's comments may have economic repercussions, particularly for US defense firms eyeing India as a key market. These developments together add to the ongoing discourse about India's approach to global partnerships, particularly in terms of trust, predictability and long-term cooperation.
India Gazette
12-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Foreign Expert says PM Modi's address highlights India's strong response to terror attack
Washington DC [US], May 13 (ANI): In the wake of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's national address on Operation Sindoor, Washington DC-based South Asia analyst Michael Kugelman said that the address underscored India's resolve to respond to terrorist threats with 'decisive and robust' action and not being deterred by nuclear weapons. Kugelman further noted that the most significant part of the address was the clarity with which PM Modi drew a line between terrorist groups and the governments that sponsor them. While speaking with ANI, Kugelman said, 'It clearly emphasised the fact that India was responding to a horrific terrorist attack that in India's view is linked to Pakistan, and also not surprisingly, there are significant levels of expressions of support for the Indian military forces. I think that what really stands out is the focus on the current operation and India's position moving forward when it comes to the issue of terrorism.' He added, 'I was really struck in his comments about India having essentially reset the terms for how it will respond to these types of attacks in the future and in terms of emphasising responding decisively and robustly and not being deterred by nuclear weapons. One of the final points he made is not distinguishing between terrorists and the government that sponsors them...' PM Modi on Monday reiterated India's firm stance on talks with Pakistan, saying any future discussions will be confined to terrorism and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). In his address to the nation following Operation Sindoor, PM Modi said, 'Today, I would also like to tell the global community that our stated policy has been: if there are talks with Pakistan, it will be only on terrorism; and if there are talks with Pakistan, it will be only on Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).' Prime Minister Modi warned that Pakistan's support for terrorism could lead to its downfall. He added that achieving peace is impossible without destroying the terrorist infrastructure. 'The way the Pakistani army and the Pakistan government are encouraging terrorism, it will destroy Pakistan one day. If Pakistan wants to survive, it will have to destroy its terror infrastructure. There is no other way to peace,' he added. India had launched a surgical strike on terror launch pads along LoC in 2016 and aerial strikes on a terror camp in Pakistan in 2019. Twenty-six people were killed in the ghastly terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22. India responded through Operation Sindoor and launched precision strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoK), in which over 100 terrorists were killed. The subsequent aggression by Pakistan was appropriately responded to by the Indian Armed Forces, who also pounded Pakistan's air bases. (ANI)
India Gazette
12-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
"Indian leadership responded by hitting back, projecting strength, confidence" US Foreign Policy expert hails Operation Sindoor
Washington DC [US], May 12 (ANI): Leading American Foreign Policy Expert, Michael Kugelman hailed the response of Indian leadership towards Pakistan as a part of Operation Sindoor. He highlighted how India's response to the crisis displayed strong leadership acumen. Noting how the Pahalgam terror attack was different from the previous crises, Michael Kugelman said, 'This crisis was so different on so many levels. First, the nature of the attack that triggered this crisis... was unusually brutal. The fact that civilians, tourists were targeted, and singled out for their religion for being Hindus. This, I think, had a particular type of traumatic impact on India in ways that we have not seen with previous ones, which I think necessitated the Indian government and certainly much of the Indian public too, a particularly robust retaliation'. He emphasised, 'The intensity of the initial Indian airstrikes in Pakistan were of a magnitude that we have not seen for many decades since the 1971 war. So that's a big difference right there'. Kugelman, while speaking to ANI observed that with the hostilities lasting for a longer period of time than what has been in the case of previous military crises, 'This is another reason why so many capitals around the world, Washington and London and the EU and, and various capitals in the Middle East, were so concerned about the direction of this crisis.' He also noted the difference of leadership between India and Pakistan during the tensions, Kugelman lauded India's response. He said, 'If you look at the last few crises between India and Pakistan- 2016, 2019, and now this recent one, it's the same government in India- the Modi Government, and the leadership has responded in similar ways- hitting back, projecting strengths, confidence, defiance, and so on.' Kugelman said that the results shown by the Indian government deliver the important message of India achieving its tactical and strategic goals to protect itself from threat. Operation Sindoor was launched on May 7 to strike multiple terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied-Kashmir after a deadly attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam last month in which 26 tourists were killed. In a joint press conference held at the National Media Centre on Sunday, the senior-most operational commanders from all three wings of the Indian Armed Forces revealed major outcomes of India's Operation Sindoor. In addition to eliminating over 100 terrorists, the strikes destroyed 11 air bases inside Pakistan and inflicted significant damage on their military capabilities. The air, land and sea operations were carried out with calibrated restraint, with an emphasis on minimising civilian casualties. Air Marshal AK Bharti on Sunday emphasised the country's military capabilities, stating that India has the ability to target every system at Pakistan's bases. Air Marshal AK Bharti on Sunday said Operation Sindoor effectively destroyed terror camps, achieving its objectives with precision. He stressed that the operations' impact is evident to the world. Air Marshal Bharti said, 'Have we achieved our objectives of decimating the terrorist camps, and the answer is a thumping Yes and the results are for the whole world to see.' During the briefing, Vice Admiral AN Pramod issued a clear warning to Pakistan stating, 'This time, if Pakistan dare take any action, Pakistan knows what we are going to do, that's all'. (ANI)
Time of India
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
"Indian leadership responded by hitting back, projecting strength, confidence" US Foreign Policy expert hails Operation Sindoor
Leading American Foreign Policy Expert, Michael Kugelman hailed the response of Indian leadership towards Pakistan as a part of Operation Sindoor . He highlighted how India's response to the crisis displayed strong leadership acumen. #Operation Sindoor India responds to Pak's ceasefire violation; All that happened India-Pakistan ceasefire reactions: Who said what Punjab's hopes for normalcy dimmed by fresh violations Noting how the Pahalgam terror attack was different from the previous crises, Michael Kugelman said, 'This crisis was so different on so many levels. First, the nature of the attack that triggered this crisis... was unusually brutal. The fact that civilians, tourists were targeted, and singled out for their religion for being Hindus. This, I think, had a particular type of traumatic impact on India in ways that we have not seen with previous ones, which I think necessitated the Indian government and certainly much of the Indian public too, a particularly robust retaliation". He emphasised, "The intensity of the initial Indian airstrikes in Pakistan were of a magnitude that we have not seen for many decades since the 1971 war. So that's a big difference right there". Kugelman, while speaking to observed that with the hostilities lasting for a longer period of time than what has been in the case of previous military crises, "This is another reason why so many capitals around the world, Washington and London and the EU and, and various capitals in the Middle East, were so concerned about the direction of this crisis." He also noted the difference of leadership between India and Pakistan during the tensions, Kugelman lauded India's response. Live Events He said, "If you look at the last few crises between India and Pakistan- 2016, 2019, and now this recent one, it's the same government in India- the Modi Government, and the leadership has responded in similar ways- hitting back, projecting strengths, confidence, defiance, and so on." Kugelman said that the results shown by the Indian government deliver the important message of India achieving its tactical and strategic goals to protect itself from threat. Operation Sindoor was launched on May 7 to strike multiple terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied-Kashmir after a deadly attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam last month in which 26 tourists were killed. In a joint press conference held at the National Media Centre on Sunday, the senior-most operational commanders from all three wings of the Indian Armed Forces revealed major outcomes of India's Operation Sindoor. In addition to eliminating over 100 terrorists, the strikes destroyed 11 air bases inside Pakistan and inflicted significant damage on their military capabilities. The air, land and sea operations were carried out with calibrated restraint, with an emphasis on minimising civilian casualties. Air Marshal AK Bharti on Sunday emphasised the country's military capabilities, stating that India has the ability to target every system at Pakistan's bases. Air Marshal AK Bharti on Sunday said Operation Sindoor effectively destroyed terror camps, achieving its objectives with precision. He stressed that the operations' impact is evident to the world. Air Marshal Bharti said, "Have we achieved our objectives of decimating the terrorist camps, and the answer is a thumping Yes and the results are for the whole world to see." During the briefing, Vice Admiral AN Pramod issued a clear warning to Pakistan stating, "This time, if Pakistan dare take any action, Pakistan knows what we are going to do, that's all".
Mint
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Mint
India, Pakistan ‘were closer to going to war', ceasefire helped but...: Foreign expert Michael Kugelman
US-based South Asia analyst Michael Kugelman said on Monday that he believed that India and Pakistan relations "were at one of the lowest points in a number of decades, and they were closer to going to war than at any time since the Kargil crisis" He noted that the "ceasefire really de-escalated things in a big way" amid heightened India-Pakistan tensions but this ceasefire could be "fragile". In an interview with the news agency ANI, Kugelman said that the developments were quick, and the ceasefire was sudden and remarkable. 'Well, it's been quite a week, given how we saw such a major escalation in tensions so quickly over the last few days and then for there to be this very sudden ceasefire that appeared to come out of nowhere. It really is quite remarkable,' Kugelman said. He added, 'I think that the India, Pakistan relations were at one of their lowest points in a number of decades, and they were closer to going to war than at any time since the cargo crisis.' He, however, feared that the ceasefire could be fragile. "And in that sense, the ceasefire has really de-escalated things in a big way, but I think that it will be a fragile ceasefire because we know that tensions remain quite high between both countries," he said. Michael Kugelman's comments came as India and Pakistan announced on May 10 terms of 'understanding' to stop cross-border military action. However, India accused Pakistan of violating this understanding shortly after it was reached on Saturday. The tension between India and Pakistani escalated after the Indian Armed Forces launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting nine terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoK).
