What Do These Six Indicators Tell Us of India’s Diplomacy after Operation Sindoor?

Despite a robust military response to Pakistan in Operation Sindoor, India’s diplomatic standing under the Modi government has faced significant challenges thereafter. 

Key international developments since the Pahalgam attack reveal a pattern of strategic setbacks, raising questions about the failure of PM Narendra Modi’s foreign policy in converting tactical victories into global influence and support for India. 

PM Modi’s grand claims of India as vishwaguru (teacher to the world) and later, vishwamitra (friend of the world) have come to nought when tested by crisis. 

Pakistan chairing the UNSC Taliban committee

Pakistan’s elevation to chair the UNSC Taliban Sanctions Committee and vice-chair of the Counter-Terrorism Committee is a diplomatic blow for India. This role enables Pakistan to shape narratives on terrorism and Afghanistan, potentially undermining India’s interests.

Despite the Modi government’s diplomatic outreach, including sending multi-party delegations to lobby UNSC members, Islamabad secured these roles with the backing of China and other members. This development not only undermines India’s efforts to portray Pakistan as the epicentre of terrorism but also raises concerns that Pakistan could use its position to push anti-India narratives. The move signals India’s waning influence in key multilateral forums and highlights the growing clout of the China-Pakistan axis in international decision-making.

Putin confirming that Trump mediated India-Pakistan ceasefire

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s endorsement of US President Donald Trump’s mediation in the India-Pakistan ceasefire challenges India’s longstanding stance against third-party involvement.

Putin’s remarks that the conflict was halted with Trump’s “personal involvement” further the narrative that Modi was compelled into dialogue under international pressure and succumbed to American diktat. It undermines India’s longstanding position of bilateralism with Pakistan and raises doubts about New Delhi’s strategic autonomy during critical security crises.

Pakistan securing loans from ADB, IMF and World Bank

Pakistan’s successful acquisition of major loans from the IMF, World Bank and Asian Development Bank, despite vehement Indian objections, highlights the Modi government’s limited influence in global financial institutions. These include a $1 billion IMF loan, a $40 billion World Bank partnership framework and an $800 million ADB package.

India raised concerns about the potential misuse of these funds, especially given Pakistan’s increased defence spending and lack of progress on key reforms. However, the continued flow of international financial support to Pakistan, even amid heightened tensions, signals the limits of India’s influence in multilateral institutions and highlights the Modi government’s failure to isolate Pakistan economically.

Diplomatic setbacks at the United Nations

India has faced notable diplomatic setbacks at the UN, particularly in its efforts to secure explicit condemnation of Pakistan-based groups for the Pahalgam attack. Pakistan, with support from China, managed to block references to specific perpetrators in UNSC statements, diluting India’s claims.

Although the Modi government dispatched delegations to rally support, no country designated Pakistan as a terrorist state or issued unequivocal statements in India’s favour. These setbacks underscore the difficulties the Modi government faces in building global consensus on its concerns.

Strengthening the China-Pakistan axis

China’s support for Pakistan during and after Operation Sindoor has deepened the strategic partnership between the two countries. China provided military and diplomatic backing to Pakistan, including critical defence systems and public endorsements of Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Beijing intervened to bring a détente between Afghanistan and Pakistan, negating India’s outreach towards the Taliban to keep Islamabad under pressure. This growing partnership, driven by shared regional interests and rivalry with India, poses a significant challenge to India’s security and diplomatic leverage in South Asia and beyond.

Failure to secure international condemnation of Pakistan

Despite high-profile efforts, the Modi government has failed to secure explicit international condemnation of Pakistan for its alleged role in the Pahalgam attack and subsequent escalation. While many countries condemned the terror attack in general terms, none directly censured Pakistan or supported India’s calls for blacklisting Pakistan at forums like the Financial Action Task Force. The absence of strong international backing, even after a major terror incident and military confrontation, highlights the limitations of the Modi government’s current foreign policy approach.

These indicators collectively suggest that, despite military successes on the ground, the Modi government’s foreign policy has struggled to convert India’s battlefield gains into sustained diplomatic advantage over Pakistan. At crunch moments, India found itself isolated, bypassed at global summits and unable to rally support. The growing influence of adversaries in multilateral forums, exclusion from key global platforms and the inability to rally international opinion against Pakistan point to significant challenges for India in the current geopolitical environment. PM Modi’s domestic rhetoric masks a reality of India’s diminished diplomatic influence and strategic setbacks.

This article, first published at 12.40 pm on June 7, 2025, was republished at 3.42 pm on the same day.

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