The United States’ sweeping sanctions on India in 2025 have cast a spotlight on New Delhi’s covert operations, particularly its alleged support for terrorist groups like the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) to destabilize Pakistan. These sanctions, coupled with the U.S. Department of State’s recent designation of the BLA and its alias, the Majeed Brigade, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) on August 11, 2025, mark a turning point in exposing India’s deep state machinations.
US Sanctions: A Hammer Blow to India’s Deep State
The U.S. imposition of secondary tariffs on India, announced on August 7, 2025, under President Donald Trump’s administration, targets India’s trade with Russia, with a 25% tariff on Indian goods and an additional 25% looming. These measures, potentially escalating to 50% on key sectors, are squeezing India’s economy and limiting its ability to fund covert operations. The U.S. Department of State’s designation of the BLA and its alias, the Majeed Brigade, as an FTO under section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act and Executive Order 13224 underscores Washington’s commitment to countering terrorism.
The BLA, previously listed as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) in 2019, has escalated attacks, including suicide bombings near Karachi’s airport and Gwadar Port in 2024, and the March 2025 hijacking of the Jaffar Express, which killed 31 civilians and security personnel while holding over 300 passengers hostage.This FTO designation, effective upon publication in the Federal Register, restricts India’s ability to support such groups, exposing the deep state’s reliance on proxy warfare to weaken Pakistan. For Pakistan, this is a diplomatic victory, highlighting India’s destabilizing role and reinforcing Islamabad’s call for global accountability.
India’s Covert Support for Baloch Terrorism: A Threat to Pakistan’s Stability
India’s alleged backing of Baloch separatist groups like the BLA is a calculated strategy to cripple Pakistan, particularly in the strategic Balochistan province. In August 2025, Pakistan’s security forces foiled an infiltration attempt by 33 BLA militants, seizing Indian-linked weapons and explosives. The BLA’s May 2025 attacks across 58 locations targeted military outposts and infrastructure critical to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a cornerstone of Pakistan’s economic growth. Pakistan has long accused India of funneling funds and arms to the BLA and its factions, including the Majeed Brigade, to sow chaos and undermine regional stability.
Social media reports from 2025 amplify these claims, accusing India of ethnic profiling and inciting violence against Punjabi laborers in Balochistan to escalate unrest. By fueling these terrorist groups, India aims to portray Pakistan as a failing state, diverting global attention from its own human rights violations in Kashmir. The U.S. FTO designation of the BLA directly challenges this strategy, signaling to India that its covert support for terrorism will face international consequences.
India’s History of Extraterritorial Killings: A Pattern of Aggression
India’s deep state has a documented history of claiming responsibility for cross-border assassinations, often under the guise of “counter-terrorism.” In Pakistan, at least six targeted killings since 2021 have been attributed to Indian agents operating from third countries, using jihadists recruited under false pretenses. In January 2024, Pakistan condemned these as “extrajudicial killings,” exposing India’s violation of sovereignty.
This pattern extends beyond Pakistan. In Canada, the 2023 assassination of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar was linked to Indian government operatives, prompting Canada to expel Indian diplomats and charge three nationals in May 2024. In the U.S., a 2023 plot to kill a Sikh activist was thwarted, revealing India’s “network of extra-territorial killings” and sparking calls for human rights investigations. Indian media often glorifies these acts as strikes against “infidels” or separatists, but they have fueled global outrage, with Pakistan linking these incidents to a broader pattern of Indian aggression in 2024.
Global Consequences: India’s Terror Sponsorship Backfires
India’s support for Baloch terrorism and its extraterritorial operations have severely damaged its international standing. The May 2025 India-Pakistan crisis, triggered by a Kashmir attack and followed by India’s “Operation Sindoor” strikes, drew condemnation from global leaders, including China, Japan, and the U.S., who criticized India’s use of terrorism proxies. This conflict, lasting four days, exposed India’s hardening policies and eroded its credibility as a responsible global actor.
Economically, U.S. tariffs threaten India’s growth, with potential losses in the billions and strained trade relations with allies like the EU, who are wary of India’s Russian ties. Allegations of ethnic cleansing in Balochistan, amplified on platforms like X, have further isolated India, undermining its narrative on Kashmir. Pakistan, by contrast, has gained international sympathy, with calls for the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to investigate India’s terror financing.
Pakistan’s Stand: A Beacon of Resilience
As U.S. sanctions and the BLA’s FTO designation weaken India’s deep state, Pakistan stands tall, exposing New Delhi’s terrorist sponsorship and defending its sovereignty. These developments empower Islamabad to demand accountability, strengthen regional alliances, and protect critical projects like CPEC. Pakistan’s resilience against India’s aggression is a testament to its commitment to peace and stability in South Asia.
