Pakistan’s long-touted notion of an “Islamic arc of support” has been critically undermined as major Muslim-majority nations either backed India or adopted neutral stances following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and India’s subsequent military response, Operation Sindoor. The diplomatic setback further isolates Pakistan at a time when tensions with India have surged dramatically.
The Pahalgam attack, which killed 26 civilians—including a Nepali national—sparked a strong Indian response, culminating in precision strikes across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on May 7. The strikes, described by India’s Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) Lt Gen Rajeev Ghai as targeting high-value terrorist operatives, dismantled nine major terror hubs and eliminated over 100 terrorists, including masterminds of previous attacks such as the 1999 IC-814 hijacking and the 2019 Pulwama bombing.
In the aftermath, Pakistan attempted to galvanize support among Islamic nations, invoking religious solidarity and historical ties. However, diplomatic sources confirmed that such support did not materialize. The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), typically a sympathetic platform for Pakistan, issued only a tepid and delayed response. Indian diplomatic engagement with OIC member states reportedly played a key role in moderating the group’s reaction.
Far from rallying behind Islamabad, several influential Islamic countries either sided with India or prioritized neutrality. Saudi Arabia, which hosted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the attack, expressed empathy with India and refrained from condemning the retaliatory strikes. Malaysia labeled the Pahalgam attack as “wrong,” explicitly criticizing the act of terrorism. Qatar, the UAE, and Oman maintained silence or diplomatic neutrality, conscious of their strong energy and trade ties with India.
A senior Indian official noted, “The myth of Pakistan’s unshakable Islamic alliance has been punctured. The world, including much of the Muslim world, sees the threat of terrorism for what it is—and is no longer willing to excuse it based on old loyalties.”
Even Turkey, historically one of Pakistan’s staunchest supporters, adopted a subdued tone, urging both sides to exercise restraint rather than condemning India outright. Iran, focused on expanding its trade via the India-backed Chabahar Port, positioned itself as a mediator and avoided siding with either nation.
Meanwhile, the situation on the ground remains tense. Despite a U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement reached on May 10, fresh violations were reported just hours later, with explosions in Srinagar and Jammu. India reported the death of 12 civilians and one soldier due to Pakistani shelling in Poonch, while Pakistan blamed India for unrest in its border areas.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi convened a high-level meeting on May 11 with top defence and foreign policy officials, including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and NSA Ajit Doval, to assess the volatile situation. The government has reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policy on terrorism while maintaining that it remains committed to peace if cross-border hostilities cease.
As Operation Sindoor and its geopolitical ripple effects continue to unfold, the episode marks a notable shift in South Asian diplomacy. India’s growing influence and strategic partnerships are increasingly evident, while Pakistan’s traditional reliance on religious bloc solidarity is proving less effective in a world more attuned to the global threat of terrorism.
