One of the most iconic dialogues from the classic Bollywood movie ‘Deewar’ was delivered by Amitabh Bachchan’s character, Vijay Verma. In a moment of reflection and guilt, Vijay says to his mother, Sumitra Devi Verma (played by Nirupa Roy), "Mother, am I really that bad?" He says this while pondering over the hardships his mother has endured because of the path he chose in life. In the film, Vijay is a tormented son, distanced from his brother and family due to injustice and misfortune. His father (played by Sanjay Khan), an honest man, dies early, leaving the family to struggle—something that shapes Vijay’s bitter worldview.
Today, India finds itself in that same state of emotional and moral exhaustion—like Sumitra Devi—while the Modi government seems to be echoing Vijay’s self-reproach: “Am I really that bad?” In the global diplomatic arena, India’s coercive diplomacy has backfired. It was a hard slap across the face of its own foreign policy.
At a press briefing in Washington, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce was asked by an Indian journalist whether the US had urged a visiting Pakistani parliamentary delegation to take action against terrorism. Her response, “I cannot share the details of our conversation.” That silence was deafening—and telling.
For years, India has tried to isolate Pakistan by linking it to terrorism on the global stage. Now, it is facing strategic blowback. India has always pushed the narrative that Pakistan is a global “security threat,” hoping the world would label it a “rogue state.” But India seems to have forgotten a crucial diplomatic principle: when you repeat a securitization narrative without evidence, it eventually falls flat. This time, the world did not buy it. India’s narrative has lost credibility.
While India attempted to isolate Pakistan, Islamabad was busy securing space at the FATF, UN committees, and international forums. The tables have turned. Pakistan is now being seen not as a threat, but as a responsible actor. It has embraced soft power diplomacy—whether in peace talks with Afghan stakeholders, participation in climate summits, or upholding human rights. The global community is recognizing Pakistan as a mature and responsible stakeholder. The Indian narrative is increasingly being seen as propaganda—baseless and driven by domestic political motives.
Modi’s flawed diplomacy has embarrassed India globally. Even top Indian diplomats are now being dismissed by minor foreign counterparts. Modi’s rise has taken India to such a diplomatic low that it may take 20 to 25 years to rebuild its image. Missteps have consequences. By framing Pakistan as the root of terrorism in the region, India tried to paint a picture of regional injustice and alienation. Now that narrative has backfired—and badly.
Every time Indian Foreign Minister Jaishankar sits down for an interview, his body language betrays defeat. The despair on his face is no different from the broken expression of Vijay Verma. Once aggressive and confident, India's foreign policy machinery now looks tired, confused, and isolated.
