Is US action against TRF another move by Trump to claim upper hand in India-Pak conflict?

The United States on Friday designated The Resistance Front, the perpetrators of the Pahalgam terror attack, as Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) on Friday. In a statement, the US State Department said the move "enforces President Trump’s call for justice for the Pahalgam attack."

 

Despite India's repeated denial, US President Donald Trump has been claiming "win" in stopping the India-Pakistan war. Trump claimed he "stopped" the India-Pakistan conflict using trade card and stopped it from turning nuclear. Trump said both nations "stopped" fighting after he told them that the US would stop trade with warring nations. India had categorically denied Trump's claims. 

 

Meanwhile, the Ministry of External Affairs welcomed the United States' State Department's move categorising perpetrators of the Pahalgam terror attack, The Resistance Front, as Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) on Friday. India called the move an "important step" in dismantling terror infrastructure.

 

In a statement, the ministry said, "The Government of India welcomes the decision of the United States Department of State to designate The Resistance Front (TRF) as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). We acknowledge and appreciate the leadership of Secretary of State Mr. Marco Rubio in this regard."

 

The ministry added TRF is a proxy of  Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT), a Pakistan-based terror organization. "TRF has been involved in numerous terror-related activities, including the heinous attack on civilians in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on 22 April 2025, for which it twice claimed responsibility," it said.

 

The MEA emphasised the need for global cooperation to dismantle terror infrastructure. "The designation of TRF is a timely and important step reflecting the deep cooperation between India and the United States on counter-terrorism."

 

India said it will and will continue to work closely with international partners to ensure terror outfits are held accountable.

India