The joint statement issued by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump, urging Pakistan to ensure its territory is not used for "cross-border terror attacks," has triggered sharp reactions from Islamabad. Pakistan's Foreign Affairs spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan expressed strong disappointment, calling the reference to his country "one-sided, misleading, and contrary to diplomatic norms." Addressing reporters in his weekly briefing, Khan said Pakistan was "surprised" by the inclusion of such remarks, arguing that they failed to acknowledge Pakistan’s sacrifices in the fight against terrorism.
The diplomatic pressure on Pakistan was further intensified earlier in the day when India secured a major victory: Trump officially agreed to extradite 26/11 terror attack accused Tahawwur Rana to India. The announcement, made with PM Modi standing beside him, was a significant moment in India's long-standing demand for justice. "My administration has approved the extradition of Tahawwur Rana, one of the very evil people of the world, to face justice in India," Trump declared. Rana, a Canadian national of Pakistani origin, has been held at a detention center in Los Angeles, awaiting extradition.
Adding to Pakistan's concerns, the US has already suspended $845 million in funding for various projects in the country, a move seen as further tightening economic pressure.
The joint statement by Modi and Trump not only addressed cross-border terrorism but also explicitly called on Pakistan to "expeditiously bring to justice" the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, which resulted in the deaths of over 165 people. Modi, while thanking Trump for Rana's extradition, emphasized the need for "concerted action" to eradicate cross-border terrorism and dismantle terror networks operating with impunity.
The statement also named key terrorist organizations—al-Qaida, Islamic State, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Lashkar-e-Taiba—as major threats to global security. "The global scourge of terrorism must be fought, and terrorist safe havens eliminated from every corner of the world," it stated, underscoring the commitment of both nations to combat terrorism at all levels.
Furthermore, the two leaders pledged to enhance intelligence sharing and counterterrorism cooperation to prevent "heinous acts" like the 26/11 Mumbai attacks and the 2021 Abbey Gate bombing in Afghanistan, which claimed the lives of 13 US Army personnel and 170 Afghan civilians. Their joint commitment extended beyond South Asia, as the statement also mentioned efforts to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, ensuring that such capabilities do not fall into the hands of terrorist groups.
While India hailed the joint statement as a diplomatic success, Pakistan's response reflected frustration at being singled out. The strong language used against cross-border terrorism and the push for justice in the 26/11 case further reinforced India’s position on global platforms. With Trump backing Modi’s stance and taking tangible steps like Rana’s extradition and financial cuts, Islamabad finds itself facing renewed international scrutiny over its counterterrorism measures.
