Nikki Haley, an Indian-American Republican, stated on Thursday that India has every right to respond and defend itself following the recent terrorist attacks in Pahargam, declaring that Pakistan cannot act as a victim.
In response to the attacks in Jammu and Pahargam that resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians, India initiated Operation Sindoah.
This operation involved strikes on nine terrorist camps located in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, utilizing missiles and drones.
Haley noted in a post on X, “Terrorists launched an attack that killed dozens of Indian citizens. India had all the rights to retaliate and defend. Pakistan cannot play the victim. There is no country that supports terrorist activities.”
Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri informed reporters in New Delhi that the Indian military aims to “deter and preempt further terrorist strikes” by dismantling Pakistan’s “measured, injunctive, proportional and responsible” terrorist infrastructure.
During the press conference, Misri emphasized the importance of bringing those behind the April 22 attack to justice.
Haley previously served as the governor of South Carolina and as the UN ambassador during Donald Trump’s first term, making history as the first Indian-American to secure a cabinet-level position in the US.
She announced her candidacy for the 2024 presidential election in 2023 but later withdrew from the race in March.
In her campaign, she claimed that a future administration under her leadership would not allocate billions to countries she called “bad guys” like Pakistan.
“The weak America pays the bad guys. Last year alone will bring hundreds of millions of dollars to Pakistan, Iraq, and Zimbabwe. A strong America is not the atmosphere of the world,” she stated.
Haley also mentioned her full support for President Trump’s decision to cut $2 billion in military aid to Pakistan, relating to concerns over terrorists targeting US troops.
