India Shuts Airspace to Pakistani Flights as Loc Firing Continues | Vantage with Palki Sharma

Summary

The transcript discusses the ongoing tension between India and Pakistan, highlighting a recent terror attack and the international diplomatic efforts surrounding it. It covers the reaction of the United States, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio calling Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to condemn the attack and urging cooperation with India. India's Foreign Minister, S. Jaishankar, engages with UN members to garner support against Pakistan. Despite diplomatic efforts, India emphasizes the need for Pakistan to be held accountable for sponsoring terrorism. Meanwhile, India takes both military and strategic steps to counter Pakistan’s influence, including airspace restrictions and digital censorship.

Takeaways

• 😀 The world is increasingly divided, with some countries backing Pakistan, while others are urging restraint from India.
• 😀 U.S. Secretary of State, Mark Rubio, spoke to both India's and Pakistan's foreign ministers regarding the ongoing tensions.
• 😀 The U.S. is concerned about the possibility of nuclear escalation, which is why they are pushing for de-escalation.
• 😀 India’s foreign minister, S. Jaishankar, is actively reaching out to non-permanent members of the UN Security Council to garner support.
• 😀 The United Nations Security Council’s recent statements on the terror attack were weak and diluted due to Pakistan's influence as a non-permanent member.
• 😀 India is focusing on engaging with the non-permanent members of the UN Security Council for better diplomatic outcomes.
• 😀 In response to ongoing border violations, India has imposed stricter measures against Pakistan, including shutting down its airspace to Pakistani flights.
• 😀 Pakistan’s shipping and air travel to East Asia will be affected due to India’s new restrictions.
• 😀 India is taking measures to block Pakistani influencers and media outlets in an effort to fight fake narratives and propaganda.
• 😀 In Kashmir, security agencies are tracking down terrorists linked to the recent attack, with intense efforts to locate overground workers who support the terrorists.

Q & A

What was the main expectation regarding the international response to the situation in Pakistan?

The expectation was that the world would condemn Islamabad's actions, especially in relation to the terrorist attack. However, the world is more inclined to counsel restraint towards India, with the United States urging India to de-escalate.

How did the United States approach the situation with both India and Pakistan?

The U.S. Secretary of State, Mark Rubio, made separate calls to both India’s Foreign Minister, S. Jaishankar, and Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif. Rubio urged Pakistan to condemn the terrorist attack and cooperate with the investigation, while asking India to work with Pakistan for regional peace.

Why is it important to hold Pakistan accountable for the terror attack instead of just asking for condemnation?

It is important to hold Pakistan accountable because Pakistan allegedly plotted and sponsored the terrorist attack. Merely asking for a simple condemnation would be insufficient and akin to asking a murderer to apologize for their crime without facing consequences.

What role did the UN Security Council (UNSC) play in addressing the attack?

The UNSC issued a weak and diluted statement regarding the terrorist attack. It condemned the attack but did not even name the attackers or Pakistan, reflecting the influence of Pakistan as a non-permanent member of the council, which led to the statement being watered down.

What strategy is India employing in response to Pakistan's actions?

India is employing a combination of diplomatic pressure and military deterrence. This includes reaching out to non-permanent members of the UN Security Council and taking measures like shutting down Pakistani air traffic over India and blocking Pakistani news channels and influencers in the country.

What steps is India taking to prevent escalation in the region?

India is engaging in diplomatic outreach, as evidenced by Foreign Minister Jaishankar's conversations with various non-permanent UNSC members. Additionally, India is focusing on international pressure to prevent Pakistan from escalating the situation further.

What are the current military and diplomatic measures in place to prevent further violence?

Militarily, India has been on high alert, with frequent hotlines between Indian and Pakistani military officials. Diplomatically, India is isolating Pakistan by blocking its air traffic, taking action against Pakistani influencers, and coordinating with the UN to prevent Pakistan from manipulating narratives.

How are Pakistan’s military actions affecting India and the region?

Pakistan's military actions, particularly firing across the Line of Control, have led to heightened tensions and continued violations of ceasefire agreements. India has warned Pakistan against continuing these actions, but there has been no significant change in Pakistan's behavior.

How is India responding to the international narrative and propaganda from Pakistan?

India is actively combating fake narratives and propaganda by blocking Pakistani media outlets and influential figures on social media. The aim is to reduce Pakistan's influence on global public opinion and counter its narrative about the ongoing conflict.

What is the status of the investigation into the terrorist attack in Kashmir?

The investigation into the terrorist attack in Kashmir is ongoing. Officials have identified around 20 overground workers who supported the terrorists. However, the attackers themselves have not been located yet, as they are believed to be well-trained and operating in difficult terrain.