Combat Pakistan-backed terror with international law.

• India’s Operation Sindoor has shown India’s intent to use kinetic measures to combat terrorism from Pakistan.

• India has also employed non-kinetic strategies, such as “lawfare,” to hold Pakistan accountable for its support of terrorism directed against India.

Leverage Terrorism Conventions

• India should leverage international law to highlight Pakistan’s sponsorship of cross-border terrorism.

• The SAARC Regional Convention on Suppression of Terrorism and key international treaties like the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism (ICSFT) and the International Convention for the Suppression of Terrorist Bombings (Terrorist Bombing Convention) are key terrorism conventions.

• Pakistan has a history of sponsoring, abetting, and funding terrorism against India.

• India should use all international forums to build a solid legal case against Pakistan for its violations of international law regarding terrorism suppression.

Use the International Court of Justice (ICJ)

• India has a compelling case against Islamabad under these terrorism conventions, which it can present to the ICJ.

Hurdles to Overcome

• Pakistan has not accepted the ICJ’s jurisdiction under the ICSFT due to a reservation, which could hinder efforts to hold Pakistan accountable.

• India should withdraw its reservation about the ICJ’s jurisdiction under the Terrorist Bombing Convention, while Pakistan has accepted the ICJ’s jurisdiction for this convention.

• India should use the legal proceedings to promote a global narrative against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, aligning it with its national objectives.