It seems India has been successful in launching world-wide isolation attack on Pakistan. Here are 5 ways the world is isolating Pakistan.

1. United States of America

United States of America, considered one of the closest ally to Pakistan, has already pulled the plug on their relationship. After the petition to declare Pakistan as ‘terror-state’ reached 100,000 signatures within 3 days, two American lawmakers introduced a bill in US Congress, HR 6069 or the Pakistan State Sponsor of Terrorism Designation Act. Under the bill, within four months the US administration has to make a formal call on whether Pakistan is a ‘state-sponsor of terrorism’ or not.

Congressman Ted Poe (TX-02), the Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Terrorism aid this against the backdrop of the bill –

“Not only is Pakistan an untrustworthy ally, Islamabad has also aided and abetted enemies of the United States for years. From harboring Osama bin Laden to its cozy relationship with the Haqqani network, there is more than enough evidence to determine whose side Pakistan is on in the War on Terror. And it’s not America’s. This bill will require the Administration to formally answer this question. The President must issue a report within 90 days of passage detailing whether or not Pakistan has provided support for international terrorism. Thirty days after that, the Secretary of State must issue a follow-up report containing either a determination that Pakistan is State Sponsor of Terrorism or a detailed justification as to why Pakistan does not meet the legal criteria for designation. It is time we stop paying Pakistan for its betrayal and designate it for what it is: a State Sponsor of Terrorism.”

The President will have to issue a report within 90 days detailing whether or not Pakistan has provided support for international terrorism. Thirty days after that, the Secretary of State will have to issue a follow-up report containing either a determination that Pakistan is state sponsor of terrorism or a detailed justification as to why Pakistan does not meet the legal criteria for designation.

2. United Nations

The Pakistan President, Nawaz Shariff, came prepared to attack India on Kashmir issue in UNGA. From describing Kashmir as the “unfinished agenda” of the UN to writing letters to the five permanent members of the Security Council and Secretary-General — Sharif had done everything possible to bring Kashmir to the center-stage just before the annual session of the UNGA. His speech, probably written by a terrorist group, contained false and over-exaggerated facts. He had hoped to isolate India and gain sympathy for Pakistan. Alas! His plan failed spectacularly. In his speech to UNGA, Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon did not even touch Kashmir issue, despite talking about range of global issues like crysis in Syria, the Palestinian issue, world-refuge problem etc. Shariff’s speech too received lukewarm response whereas the speech of India’s External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj was met with critical response.

3. Russia, France and Germany – Two Permanent Members Of UN Security Council

In the wake of Uri attack, the two permanent members of UN Security Council – Russia and France – and Germany have outright named Pakistan or Pakistan-based terror groups. Russia said –

“In view of the attack on the Indian air base at Pathankot in January this year, we note with concern the resurgence of terrorist attacks near the Line of Control. It is alarming, and according to New Delhi, the attack on military unit near the town of Uri was committed from the territory of Pakistan”

There was even rumor of Russia cancelling the two-weeks joint-military exercise starting from 27-September with Pakistan in High Altitude School in Gilgit-Baltistan and Cherat in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province. However, given the closeness of starting date with Uri attack, Russia couldn’t call-off the complete exercise. Instead, they cancelled the military-exercise that was due in Gilgit-Balistan as India considers the region under its domain.

France too issued a statement that strongly supported the Indian position, noting that India is a victim of terrorism –

“More than ever, we stand alongside India, France’s strategic partner, to fight against this scourge. We call for decisive actions to be taken within the respect of international law against terrorist groups targeting India and in particular, Lashkar-e-Tayibba, Jaish-e-Mohammad and Hizb-ul-Mujahideen”

Germany too wasn’t far in expressing its concern for India. In fact, Germany almost-directly referenced Pakistan in its statement –

“Germany stands firmly on the side of India in the fight against terrorism. Every country has the responsibility to take decisive action against terrorism, which emanates from its own territory [Pakistan]”

The support of three permanent members of UNSC is a huge diplomatic victory for India. In addition to these nations, Afghanistan and Bangladesh too have sided with India to teach Pakistan a lesson or two.

4. China

Though China has special interest in Pakistan (for Economic Corridor) and has often been against India on several issues (with the latest one being denying India NSG member if Pakistan is not made one), when it comes to Kasmir issue, China too has isolated Pakistan. Pakistan had hoped that their long standing ally would support them by standing together in case of war over Kashmir. And when consul general of China Yu-Boren made this statement –

“In case of any (foreign) aggression our country will extend its full support to Pakistan. We are and will be siding with Pakistan on the Kashmir issue. There is no justification for atrocities on unarmed Kashmiris in (India)-held Kashmir and the Kashmir dispute should be solved in accordance with aspirations of the Kashmiris.”

– Pakistani media were more than elated. However, it came as utter surprise to all when China reiterated its statement and snubbed Pakistan by denying the knowledge Yu-Boren’s statement. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said that he wasn’t aware of the remarks made by Yu-Boren.

“As the neighbor and friend to both Pakistan and India, we hope the two countries will properly address their differences through dialogue and consultation, manage and control the situation and jointly work for the peace and stability of South Asia and the growth of the region. With regard to the Kashmir issue, we believe it is an issue left over from history. We hope the relevant parties will peacefully and properly resolve the issue through dialogue and consultation.”

Well, at least its a start.

5. Bangladesh, Bhutan, Afghanistan pulls out of SAARC summit – SAARC Summit 2016 Cancelled

SAARC – South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation – is a regional intergovernmental organisation and geopolitical union in South Asia. Its members are Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. This year’s SAARC summit was to be held in Islamabad in November 2016. However, on Tuesday, India announced that it will not attend the summit citing the terror attacks. Following the same trend, three other members – Bangladesh, Bhutan and Afghanistan – boycotted the summit.

Bangladesh, who itself has been victim of terrors lately, communicated its inability to attend to current SAARC chair Nepal by saying –

“The growing interference in the internal affairs of Bangladesh by one country has created an environment which is not conducive to the successful hosting of the 19th SAARC Summit in Islamabad in November 2016.”

Bhutan shifted the blame of its absence on “compromised environment” –

“The Royal Government of Bhutan shares the concerns of some of the member countries of SAARC on the deterioration of regional peace and security due to terrorism and joins them in conveying our inability to participate in the SAARC Summit, under the current circumstances”

Afghanistan, who had initially launched the shunning of SAARC summit in UNGA, too boycotted the summit –

“Due to the increased level of violence and fighting as a result of imposed terrorism on Afghanistan, the President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani with his responsibilities as the Commander in Chief will be fully engaged, and will not be able to attend the Summit.”

Such was the impact of these boycott that Nepal, the current SAARC chair, has called off the summit. The Summit is postponed to further notice.