Bolton: India Has Right to Retaliate Against Terror

Former US National Security Advisor John Bolton has asserted India’s right to respond to terrorist threats, following a recent attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam that resulted in 26 deaths. Speaking to NDTV nearly two weeks after the incident, Bolton stated India is “entitled to retaliate and try to eliminate terrorist threats” targeting its sovereignty and citizens. His comments come amidst ongoing scrutiny regarding potential Indian responses to cross-border terrorism. While acknowledging the inherent complexities of such situations, Bolton’s stance appears to implicitly support a proactive approach to national security, framing retaliation not as aggression, but as a legitimate exercise of sovereignty in the face of demonstrable threats. The statement is likely to fuel debate surrounding international norms regarding counter-terrorism measures and the balance between defensive action and escalation. Bolton’s history of advocating strong national security policies lends weight to his perspective, though it doesn’t necessarily reflect current US administration policy.