India on Friday hailed the United States’ decision to designate The Resistance Front (TRF), the group behind the deadly Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26v lives, as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO) and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT), calling it a significant step forward in bilateral counter-terrorism cooperation.
In a post on social media platform X, External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar applauded the action taken by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his department. “A strong affirmation of India-US counter-terrorism cooperation. Appreciate @SecRubio and @StateDept for designating TRF — a Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT) proxy — as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). It claimed responsibility for the April 22 Pahalgam attack. Zero tolerance for Terrorism. #OpSindoor,” he wrote.
The Resistance Front is widely considered a front for the banned Pakistan-based terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). The TRF had claimed responsibility for the April 22 attack in Baisaran, a popular tourist destination in Pahalgam.
In a formal statement, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) welcomed the US designation, calling it an "important and timely step" that reflects the growing cooperation between New Delhi and Washington in combatting global terrorism.
“India has consistently emphasised the need for global cooperation in the fight against terrorism and the dismantling of terror infrastructure,” the MEA stated. “The designation of TRF is a timely and important step reflecting the deep cooperation between India and the United States on counter-terrorism. India remains committed to a policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism and will continue to work closely with its international partners to ensure that terrorist organisations and their proxies are held accountable,” the ministry added.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday confirmed the decision to designate TRF under the Foreign Terrorist Organisation and SDGT lists, pursuant to Section 2019 of the Immigration and Nationality Act and Executive Order 13224.
“These actions taken by the Department of State demonstrate the Trump Administration's commitment to protecting our national security interests, countering terrorism, and enforcing President Trump’s call for justice for the Pahalgam attack,” Rubio said.
The Department of State also reaffirmed the continued designation of Lashkar-e-Taiba as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation, stating that TRF and its aliases have been included under LeT's designation. The amendments will take effect following their publication in the Federal Register.
