The recent revelations by The Washington Post have cast a harsh light on India’s actions in Pakistan, reflecting more like a rogue state that attempts extra-territorial killings to advance its sinister goals against Pakistan.  According to The Washington Post, RAW targeted at least six individuals in Pakistan from 2021 onwards, employing a strikingly methodical approach. The operations reportedly mirrored India’s tactics used against Khalistan separatists in Canada and the U.S, suggesting a pattern of extraterritorial actions. In Pakistan, RAW allegedly recruited petty criminals and Afghan nationals through intermediaries in Dubai, with payments funneled via hawala, an informal financial network designed for discreet monetary transactions. These alleged killings have not only destabilized bilateral relations between the two nuclear-armed neighbors but have also raised alarming questions about India’s adherence to international norms and laws.

India’s adoption of extraterritorial killings represents a significant shift in its intelligence strategy, escalating beyond traditional espionage and counterterrorism activities. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, RAW has allegedly expanded its operational mandate to include assassinations on foreign soil, including Pakistan. This strategy aimed at neutralizing perceived threats while also sets a dangerous precedent that undermines diplomatic efforts and escalates regional tensions. One of the high-profile victims was Zahoor Mistry, accused of hijacking an Indian Airlines flight in 1999. As per the report, an Indian intelligence officer, operating under the Tanaz Ansari, orchestrated Mistry’s assassination by hiring local shooters. The case is not a simpler oner; India has carried out similar methods in other cases, such as the killing of Shahid Latif, purportedly the mastermind of the 2016 Pathankot attack and prior to these; the assassination of Khalistan separatists on Canadian and U.S. soil. These incidents underscore a disturbing trend of targeted violence executed with precision and international coordination.

The alleged assassination campaign has dealt another severe blow to already strained Pakistan-India relations. The two nations have long been locked in a cycle of mistrust and hostility, exacerbated by historical grievances and unresolved border disputes. India’s alleged operations on Pakistani soil mark an unprecedented escalation, pushing the two nuclear-armed neighbors further away from a meaningful dialogue. In January 2024, Pakistan’s then-foreign secretary, Syrus Qazi, presented credible evidence linking Indian agents to the killings of Pakistani citizens. This evidence included intelligence reports directly implicating RAW in these extrajudicial actions. Despite Islamabad’s calls for accountability, New Delhi has shown little willingness to engage in dialogue or address these grave concerns. Instead, India’s continued aggression further isolates Pakistan from the region and complicates prospects for peace.

India’s alleged actions constitute a blatant violation of international law particularly the principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter. The Charter explicitly prohibits the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of another state. These extrajudicial killings, if proven, undermine global norms and set a dangerous example for other nations to emulate. India’s silence on these allegations is telling. India’s Ministry of External Affairs has refrained from commenting, the lack of outright denials raises serious questions about its complicity. This silence erodes India’s credibility as a responsible global actor and exposes the hypocrisy of a nation that frequently portrays itself as a victim of terrorism while engaging in state-sponsored violence abroad. Such actions undermine the moral high ground India often claims in its diplomatic engagements.

India’s alleged actions have far-reaching consequences beyond its bilateral relationship with Pakistan. India risks destabilizing the already volatile South Asian region by normalizing extrajudicial killings. These actions could provoke retaliatory measures, creating a cycle of violence that threatens regional stability and undermines global peace efforts. Moreover, India’s behavior raises serious questions about its aspirations as a global power. As a nation seeking permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council, India is expected to uphold the principles of sovereignty, non-interference and international law. Its apparent disregard for these principles not only tarnishes its reputation but also weakens the rule-based international system it claims to support. Such actions cast a shadow over India’s legitimacy as a responsible global actor.

The international community has a moral and strategic obligation to address these allegations against India. Turning a blind eye to such action’s risks emboldening other nations to adopt similar tactics, further eroding the principles of international law. Global institutions like the United Nations must demand transparency and accountability from New Delhi, ensuring that such actions do not go unpunished. This also includes response from countries such as the United States and Canada, which have also accused India of extraterritorial killings, should take the lead in pressuring New Delhi to halt these operations. Their own experiences with India’s covert activities lend credibility to Pakistan’s claims and highlight the need for a coordinated international response. Addressing this issue is essential not only for justice but also for maintaining global stability.

Pakistan’s calls for impartial investigations into these allegations must be heeded. Islamabad has consistently urged the international community to take note of India’s rogue-state behavior, emphasizing the need to preserve the principles of sovereignty and non-interference that underpin global order. India must recognize that its actions have consequences. Extrajudicial killings, no matter how strategically calculated, cannot substitute for genuine diplomacy. If New Delhi aspires to be a regional leader and a global power, it must abandon such measures and commit to constructive dialogue with its neighbors. The path to peace lies in cooperation, not confrontation.