Politics
France Backs India’s Operation Sindoor, Russia Urges Calm as World Splits on Terror Strikes
New Delhi, May 7, 2025 – India’s “Operation Sindoor” has set the world talking, with France throwing its weight behind New Delhi’s missile strikes on nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir (PoJK), while Russia pleads for cooler heads to avoid a nuclear flare-up. As a content writer who’s been glued to X and news feeds all day, I’m struck by how fast this story’s splitting global powers—some see India’s move as a righteous anti-terror jab, others a dangerous escalation. Launched at 1:04 AM today to avenge the April 22 Pahalgam attack that killed 26 tourists, the operation’s got everyone picking sides. Here’s how the world’s reacting, what’s at stake, and where this might lead.
The Strikes: A Quick Recap
Before dawn, India’s Rafale jets, armed with SCALP missiles, hit nine sites—four in Pakistan’s Punjab (Bahawalpur, Muridke, Sialkot, Chakwal) and five in PoJK (Muzaffarabad, Kotli, Gulpur, Bhimber, Rawalakot)—targeting Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) bases linked to Pahalgam. India claims 70–80 terrorists were killed, including 10 of JeM chief Masood Azhar’s relatives in Bahawalpur. Pakistan says 26 civilians, including kids, died, pointing to a damaged mosque in Muzaffarabad. Retaliatory shelling by Pakistan killed 12 Indian civilians in Poonch, per Indian Army reports. Named “Sindoor” for the vermilion mark of Hindu widows, the operation’s a nod to the Pahalgam victims, and India’s calling it a “measured, non-escalatory” strike on terror, not Pakistan’s military.
Global Reactions: Who’s Saying What?
The world’s response is a mixed bag, with France and Russia leading the charge on opposite ends:
- France’s Full Support: French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot didn’t hold back, saying France “condemns the Pahalgam attack and supports India in its fight against terrorist groups.” The nod to India’s Rafale jets—French-made and starring in the strikes—feels like a pat on the back for both nations. Posts on X from @FranceinIndia doubled down, emphasizing “full solidarity” with India’s anti-terror push. France’s backing isn’t just talk; it’s a diplomatic win for India ahead of tonight’s UNSC meeting.
- Russia’s Restraint Call: Moscow’s keeping it neutral, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova expressing “deep concern” over the India-Pakistan clash. Russia denounced terrorism but urged both sides to “resolve differences through peaceful, diplomatic means,” offering to mediate, per TASS. It’s classic Russia—staying friendly with India, a key arms buyer, while avoiding a full-on endorsement.
- United States: The US is walking a tightrope. Secretary Marco Rubio told X he’s “monitoring the situation closely,” echoing Trump’s hope that “this ends quickly.” The White House backs India’s “right to self-defense” but wants de-escalation, wary of nuclear risks between the two neighbors.
- United Kingdom: PM Keir Starmer called for “restraint on both sides,” but former PM Rishi Sunak stole the show, tweeting that “no nation should tolerate terrorist attacks from another’s soil.” The UK’s MI6 reportedly verified India’s intel privately, but public caution rules.
- China: Beijing’s not happy, calling the strikes “regrettable” and urging restraint to “prioritize peace,” per its Foreign Ministry. China’s backing Pakistan’s narrative, with Global Times slamming India’s “militaristic bravado.” India’s embassy in Beijing clapped back, accusing them of “disinformation.”
Other voices? Israel’s ambassador tweeted, “Terrorists can’t hide,” cheering India on, while the UAE and Saudi Arabia echoed calls for calm after India’s briefings. The UN’s António Guterres warned that “the world can’t afford” an India-Pakistan military clash, setting the stage for tonight’s UNSC showdown.
The Divide: Why It Matters
This global split isn’t just diplomatic noise—it’s a tug-of-war over narratives. France’s endorsement, tied to its Rafale jets and anti-terror stance, gives India a Western ally to counter Pakistan’s claims of civilian deaths, like the Muzaffarabad mosque hit. Russia’s neutrality keeps it in play as a mediator, but China’s pro-Pakistan tilt, dismissing India’s strikes as a “violation,” could complicate UNSC sanctions on JeM or LeT. The US and UK’s cautious support reflects their balancing act—backing India’s cause but fearing a nuclear-armed escalation. My MCA days taught me to spot patterns, and this one’s clear: allies like France are all-in, but geopolitics keeps others hedging.
The stakes hit home beyond diplomacy. The Sensex crashed 1,200 points today, and Brent crude spiked 3% on supply fears, per NDTV. Over 140 Delhi flights were grounded, and I heard from a friend who’s stuck rerouting a Dubai trip. The human toll—12 Indian deaths in Poonch, Pakistan’s unverified 26 civilian deaths—keeps tensions raw.
Diplomatic Fallout and Next Steps
India’s not slowing down:
- UNSC Emergency Session: Tonight, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri will present evidence linking the nine sites to Pahalgam, backed by satellite images and intercepted JeM-LeT comms. France and the US are likely to support, but China’s veto looms.
- Briefings: India’s NSA Ajit Doval briefed counterparts in the US, UK, Russia, France, and others, stressing the strikes were “non-escalatory” but warning India’s ready to “retaliate resolutely” if Pakistan escalates, per The Hindu.
- Military Moves: India’s planning Rafale-Sukhoi air drills along the border, and nationwide mock drills (Delhi’s tonight) show it’s braced for trouble. Pakistan’s Punjab curfews and airspace bans signal they’re on edge too.
Pakistan’s response is fierce. PM Shehbaz Sharif called it an “act of war,” vowing retaliation, though their “forest fire” claim about strike sites is crumbling against India’s visuals, per Reuters photos. Their unverified 26 civilian deaths, especially at Muzaffarabad’s Bilal Mosque, are a PR weapon, amplified by Al Jazeera.
My Take
Operation Sindoor’s a bold move—25 minutes, nine camps smashed, 70–80 terrorists down, all without hitting Pakistan’s military. The tech, from Rafales to SCALP missiles, is straight out of a sci-fi flick, and France’s backing feels like a high-five for India’s precision. But Russia’s right to worry—two nuclear powers trading fire is no joke, and those 12 Poonch deaths hit hard. China’s Pakistan tilt and the mosque damage claims muddy India’s “justice served” narrative. Tonight’s UNSC meet could tip things, but as someone who’s tracked news since my newsroom days, I’m betting on a long diplomatic slog. For now, I’m watching X for updates, hoping this doesn’t spiral. Who’s got your vote—India’s strike or Russia’s calm?
