Former U.S. NSA John Bolton Justifies India’s Retaliation, Warns of Chinese Military Influence in Pakistan and Nuclear Instability Risks

Bolton asserted that India’s airstrikes were entirely justified under international law as a proportional response to terrorism. He emphasized that the attacks were aimed at terrorist camps in Pakistan and PoK, in response to planned and executed terrorist attacks on Indian soil. He compared this to India’s 2019 retaliatory action following the Pulwama attack, highlighting that Operation Sindoor was more intense, signaling an escalation in India’s military resolve.

He also pointed to Pakistan’s consistent inability or unwillingness to dismantle terror infrastructure within its borders, suggesting that India was left with no option but to act militarily. For Bolton, sovereign self-defense in the face of persistent cross-border terrorism is not just a right—it is a necessity in regional and global security doctrine.

What Role Do China and Turkey Play in Pakistan’s Military Posture?

A central concern for Bolton is China’s deepening involvement in Pakistan’s defense infrastructure. He noted that Pakistan’s military response included the use of Chinese-supplied fighter jets, which underscores Beijing’s growing grip on Islamabad’s defense decisions. For Bolton, this is not merely a bilateral matter—it’s a strategic flashpoint with global implications, especially for India’s long-term security and U.S. interests in the Indo-Pacific.

Bolton also warned about the increasing military cooperation between Pakistan and Turkey, particularly the use of Turkish drones. While he dismissed their effectiveness against India’s superior air defense systems, he cautioned against Turkey’s broader military ambitions under President Erdogan, especially when aligned with unstable states like Pakistan. These developments suggest a multi-axis threat: Pakistan’s military is not only internally dominant and unaccountable, but now also leveraging technology and resources from revisionist powers like China and Turkey, which could embolden more reckless actions.

What Are the Broader Geopolitical Implications According to Bolton?

Bolton believes the international community must take India’s concerns seriously. He supports India’s push to get the Resistance Front (TRF)—linked to the Pulwama attack—officially listed as a UN-designated terrorist organization, stating that such actions give India moral and diplomatic legitimacy when it responds militarily.

He also highlighted India’s smart diplomatic move of sending an all-party delegation to key UN Security Council nations, including the U.S., France, and the U.K., to convey its zero-tolerance policy on terrorism. According to Bolton, this is essential to counter pro-Pakistan narratives and to educate the world about the origin and nature of the terrorist threat India faces.

Bolton criticized Pakistan’s internal political dysfunction, notably the imprisonment of former PM Imran Khan and the promotion of General Asim Munir to Field Marshal. This, he said, reflects military dominance rather than democratic stability, making nuclear command and control a serious concern. He reiterated that the risk of Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal falling into terrorist hands or being misused by rogue commanders has been a U.S. worry since the George W. Bush era.