Opinion | The True Idea of India: Exposing PAK Sponsored Terrorism at Global Level

I wrote down this piece not with anger, but with a sense of hope. A hope that leaders from different parties will continue to come together when the nation calls. A hope that we, the people of Kashmir, will finally live without the shadows of guns from across the border. And that voice is loud and clear, Kashmir is ours, peace is ours, and terrorism will never find a home here again.

I was sipping a cup of noon chai a few days ago in the morning at my home when I saw the news flash across my phone that India had not only avenged the Pahalgam terror attack through Operation Sindoor, but had also sent delegations across the world to expose the truth behind Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. For a moment, I just sat still. Not in shock, but in pride. As someone who has grown up watching my homeland bleed, yet never bow, this moment meant more than just a diplomatic move, it felt like a collective voice of 1.4 billion Indians, echoing the pain of Kashmiris who have for decades rejected the poison of terrorism injected by our hostile neighbour. This wasn’t just a statement to the world, it was a long-overdue assertion of what India truly stands for.

As someone from Kashmir, I have seen how these violent ideologies have torn our paradise apart. But what I witnessed this time wasn’t just a political move; it was a powerful assertion of democratic will. And, most importantly, it was emotional, because it showed the world that when it comes to our national integrity, India does not speak in fragments, it speaks in one voice. One of the most remarkable aspects of this diplomatic mission was its composition. Leading one of the delegations was Dr. Shashi Tharoor, a Member of Parliament from the Indian National Congress, a party in the opposition. His team visited the United States, Canada, and France. Another delegation, which went to Saudi Arabia and the UAE, was led by Asaduddin Owaisi, head of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM), known for his vocal criticism of the ruling BJP. From Jammu and Kashmir, the faces included Ghulam Ali Khatana (BJP Rajya Sabha MP), Ghulam Nabi Azad (Chairman of DPAP and former Congress veteran), and Mian Altaf Ahmad (senior leader from National Conference). Let that sink in. Leaders with diverse ideologies, known for fierce debates in Parliament and contradictory positions on several issues, stood side by side abroad, speaking the same language when it came to Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. This is not just diplomacy; this is the soul of Indian democracy. This is the true Idea of India.

I had the chance to speak with a few locals here in Kashmir after this global outreach campaign. Nasir Lone, a postgraduate student in Baramulla, told me, “For the first time, I felt our voices were being represented not just in Delhi but in Washington, Riyadh, and Paris. The participation of leaders from our own land shows that Kashmir is not a pawn, but a partner in India’s peace and progress.” His words struck me deeply. For years, Pakistan has tried to portray Kashmir as a victim crying out for their support , but the truth is, we’ve been their victim, not their brother. We’ve suffered the guns and the grenades, the proxy wars and the paid mercenaries. Yet we stood tall. The people of Jammu and Kashmir have consistently rejected Pakistan’s attempts to destabilize our society. Whether it was the ballot box or brave voices in civil society, we’ve shown that our destiny lies with India. It wasn’t India that bled our streets; it was terrorism trained and sheltered across the border.

Operation Sindoor wasn’t just about eliminating terrorists. It was a message, a loud, unambiguous warning to those who mistake India’s restraint for weakness. It declared that while we seek peace, we are not afraid to act when pushed to the edge. The surgical precision with which the Indian Army executed the operation not only neutralized the immediate threat but also redefined the rules of engagement. This time, the message didn’t just stay on TV debates or newspaper columns. It travelled to the power corridors of Washington, the conference halls of Geneva, and the diplomatic lounges of Riyadh. And it was delivered by a united India.

Speaking to an elderly shopkeeper in Kupwara, I asked him what he thought about India’s outreach. “Gobra Ye Gov Asli Hindustan,” he said with a gleam in his eyes. “Ek aisa Hindustan jo har rang, har soch ke logon ko saath le kar chalta hai. Pakistan ko ab samajh aana chahiye, ke Kashmir bikau nahi hai.” (This is the real India, my son. An India that walks together with every colour, every thought. Pakistan should now understand, Kashmir is not for sale.)

When people like Ghulam Nabi Azad and Mian Altaf Ahmad, known critics of the central government, speak in harmony with their ideological opponents to condemn terrorism, it leaves no room for ambiguity. It becomes clear to the international community that India is not trying to cover up or deflect but is telling the truth, supported even by its political adversaries. Another friend, Shahid Mir, a political analyst in Srinagar, put it beautifully: “This is not diplomacy alone; it’s narrative warfare. India is winning it because it’s using both facts and faces that represent the very diversity Pakistan tries to exploit.”

Yes, that’s what this is, a war of narratives. And for once, India didn’t just respond with policy briefs or condemnation letters. It responded with its people, its leaders, and its truth. This move has also exposed the double standards of several international observers who often remain tight-lipped about Pakistan’s terror networks while being vocal about India’s internal issues. By sending diverse delegations, India forced these nations to look beyond headlines and propaganda. It made them listen to voices from Kashmir itself, the voices that categorically reject terrorism, reject interference, and reject the fake sympathy shown by Pakistan.

I want to end this piece not with anger, but with a sense of hope. A hope that this unity will not be a one-time event, but a continued practice. A hope that leaders from different parties will continue to come together when the nation calls. A hope that we, the people of Kashmir, will finally live without the shadows of guns from across the border. Because what this campaign has shown the world is that India, in all its diversity, is capable of speaking with one voice. And that voice is loud and clear, Kashmir is ours, peace is ours, and terrorism will never find a home here again.

The writer is a student activist and can be reached at soulofkashmir1@gmail.com