US designates LeT proxy TRF a foreign terrorist organisation

India says decision 'timely'; China calls for stronger regional cooperation

- ARCHIS MOHAN

India's diplomatic efforts received a shot in the arm on Friday with the US designating The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), as a "foreign terrorist organisation" over the Pahalgam terror attack.

The US designation of TRF could help put the terrorist outfit on the United Nations Security Council's (UNSC's) 1267 Committee, a key counter-terrorism mechanism that designates terrorists and their organisations.

India welcomed the US decision as a "timely and important" step, reflecting strong counter-terror cooperation between the two countries.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the TRF had been involved in numerous terror-related activities, including the heinous attack on civilians in Pahalgam, for which it twice claimed responsibility.

The US move could also help bolster the government's defence of its conduct of India's foreign policy in the monsoon session, which begins on July 21.

Opposition INDIA bloc parties have announced they intend to ask the government questions over Operation Sindoor and India's foreign relations, especially with China.

Hours after the US proscribed the TRF, China called on regional countries to enhance regional counter-terrorism cooperation.