New Delhi: Reacting to the US designation of The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT), External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar called it a strong affirmation of India-US counter-terrorism cooperation.

In a post on X, Jaishankar stated in July: “A strong affirmation of India-US counter-terrorism cooperation. Appreciate @SecRubio and @StateDept for designating TRF—a Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT) proxy—as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). It claimed responsibility for the April 22 Pahalgam attack. Zero tolerance for Terrorism. #OpSindoor.”

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio made the formal announcement on Thursday, saying the decision strengthens the Trump administration’s firm stance against terrorism and attacks targeting civilians. “This action demonstrates the Trump Administration’s commitment to protecting our national security interests, countering terrorism, and enforcing President Trump’s call for justice for the Pahalgam attack,” Rubio said.

He confirmed that TRF has been added to the lists of designated Foreign Terrorist Organisations and Specially Designated Global Terrorists under applicable US laws and executive orders. “TRF, a Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT) front and proxy, claimed responsibility for the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam attack, which killed 26 civilians,” he said. “It was the deadliest civilian attack in India since the 2008 Mumbai attacks carried out by LeT,” he added.

The designation is expected to severely limit TRF’s access to financial systems, heighten international monitoring of its operatives, and escalate pressure on Pakistan-based terror groups operating under new aliases. India has long pushed for international acknowledgment of TRF’s role in cross-border terror. The US decision is viewed as a diplomatic victory for New Delhi and a firm signal that terror fronts will not evade global scrutiny.

The announcement follows a recent United Nations Security Council condemnation of the Pahalgam attack and a renewed global call to bring both perpetrators and their sponsors to justice. The April 22 attack in Pahalgam saw 26 civilians killed, targeted after being identified by their religion. Of the victims, 25 were tourists, including one from Nepal, and a local ponywalla was also killed by the attackers.