In a firm diplomatic rebuttal during a live interview, India’s Ambassador to the United States, Vinay Kwatra, corrected senior CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer for referring to Kashmir as “Indian-administered.” His statement came amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following Operation Sindoor and the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 civilians. The moment, now going viral, not only asserted India’s sovereignty over Jammu and Kashmir but also exposed Pakistan’s duplicity in supporting terrorism, according to Kwatra.
“First of All…”: Correcting the CNN Narrative on Kashmir
When the CNN host referred to areas of Kashmir as “Indian-administered,” Vinay Kwatra immediately interjected:
“First of all, I’m sorry, but let me correct you. The entire Jammu and Kashmir is integral to the Indian part of India. The only issue to be resolved there is the return of the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.”
This correction underscored India’s long-standing position that Jammu and Kashmir is not a disputed territory, but a constitutional part of India. The India US Envoy CNN Kashmir moment became symbolic of New Delhi’s assertiveness in defending its territorial integrity, especially in global media spaces.
Blistering Attack on Pakistan for Backing Terrorists
During the interview, Kwatra also launched a scathing attack on Pakistan, accusing it of siding with terrorists instead of taking action against them. Referring to the April 22 Pahalgam attack, he called it:
“The most heinous terrorist act… carried out by lowlifes, subhuman monsters.”
He stressed that India’s foremost objective was to ensure justice and hold those accountable for the killings of innocent civilians. Kwatra condemned Pakistan’s reaction, stating:
“Pakistan has again decided to stand with the terrorists. Rather than take action against them, they are lending them support.”
He further added that India would not be surprised if Pakistan itself was involved, highlighting the country’s consistent pattern of denial and obfuscation.
Operation Sindoor: India’s Calibrated Response
Kwatra reaffirmed India’s military response through Operation Sindoor, which targeted nine terrorist infrastructure sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). According to the Indian Defence Ministry, over 100 terrorists were eliminated during the precision strikes.
Describing the nature of the operation, Kwatra said:
“This was a very precise, calibrated, measured response to these terrorists, to their factories, to their integrated facilities, which they run out of Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.”
He emphasized that no responsible state would allow terrorists to operate with impunity, and India’s actions were entirely justified under international law.
“Denial and Obfuscation” – Pakistan’s Old Strategy
When asked about Pakistan’s denial of involvement in the Pahalgam attack, Kwatra was blunt in his assessment. He said:
“Denial and obfuscation have always been the first part of Pakistan’s strategy. They assume responsibility for their past actions in the future, not in the present.”
This remark echoed India’s frustration over Islamabad’s consistent refusal to take accountability for past terror attacks — including 26/11 Mumbai, Pathankot (2016), and Pulwama (2019).
On Nuclear Tensions: Focus Should Be on Terror, Not Escalation
When questioned whether rising tensions could escalate into a nuclear conflict, Kwatra shifted the narrative to the real issue:
“The real concern should be Pakistan’s continued support for terrorism.”
He clarified that India’s actions were not escalatory but were targeted responses to eliminate the infrastructure of terror. The ambassador’s tone made it clear that India is prepared to defend its citizens while not seeking war, reaffirming its role as a responsible regional power.
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Conclusion
The India US Envoy CNN Kashmir interview was more than a diplomatic exchange—it was a clear assertion of India’s sovereignty, moral clarity on terrorism, and growing confidence on the global stage. Ambassador Vinay Kwatra’s firm correction of CNN’s terminology and his hard-hitting statements on Pakistan’s terror nexus have set the tone for India’s foreign engagement in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor. As the world watches closely, India continues to balance strategic restraint with unwavering clarity in the face of terror.