India Applauds U.S. Terrorist Designation for The Resistance Front

Quick Summary

• On July 18, 2025, India welcomed the U.S. designation of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) proxy The Resistance Front (TRF) as a global terrorist institution.
• External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar called the move a “strong affirmation” of India-U.S. counter-terrorism cooperation and expressed gratitude to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio via social media.
• TRF was identified as claiming duty for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 civilians-the deadliest attack on civilians in India since the 2008 Mumbai attacks.
• The U.S. officially categorized TRF as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT).
• Additional claims by TRF include several attacks against Indian security forces, most recently in 2024.
• The State Department emphasized its commitment to counter-terrorism and protecting national security interests.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The recent recognition of The Resistance front as a global terrorist entity highlights growing international alignment on India’s concerns about cross-border terrorism originating from Pakistan-based groups like Lashkar-e-Toiba. This designation carries diplomatic significance by solidifying India’s partnership with the United States in combating terrorism at both strategic and operational levels.

The move may bolster India’s case for consistent action against state-sponsored terrorist organizations while simultaneously reinforcing Washington’s stated commitment to countering threats targeting Indian civilians and security forces. Given that groups like TRF have escalated their presence through high-profile incidents such as the Pahalgam attack, this step should deter further legitimization or financing of similar entities globally.

Ultimately, this decision underscores cooperative dynamics between two major democracies seeking justice for victims while signaling their shared strategy against terrorism networks.Read more: Link