September 11, 2001, is a day etched forever in history. For the United States, it was a tragedy of unimaginable scale, with nearly 3,000 innocent lives lost. But for the world, it was more than just America’s grief—it was the day terrorism revealed its true face.
The 9/11 attacks changed the way every nation looked at extremism. For years, many countries had nurtured, trained, or supported such groups for short-term political gains, without realizing that the “snake” they fed would one day bite them back. That was the unwritten law of terror.
Even closer to home, we remember how Bhindranwale in Punjab or extremists in Sri Lanka once received support from ruling powers of the day. As per the eternal Dharmic principle, what is sown is eventually reaped. History shows us how those decisions came back to haunt them.
After the Cold War, one might have expected such dangers to fade. But instead, the extremist networks built and fueled by the US and the USSR during their rivalry did not disappear—they spread like wildfire. During that era, nations were compelled to align either with Washington or Moscow. This global polarization created fertile ground for extremist ideologies to grow unchecked.
It was in this environment that the Taliban emerged, a creation of the US itself. America did not realize that terrorism is a double-edged sword—one that can cut its master as well. The result was the tragedy of 9/11.
In its aftermath, President George W. Bush declared that those responsible would be brought to justice. The US shifted its stance completely: from selectively backing extremists abroad to launching an all-out hunt against them, regardless of whether they operated in friendly or hostile territories.
The American public too rose in unity. Citizens stood behind their nation. There were no calls for the President’s resignation in newspapers, no rumors to weaken national morale. Instead, the world saw how a united people should respond to crisis. Thankfully, social media like WhatsApp did not exist then—otherwise panic and misinformation might have multiplied the chaos.
India, under Prime Minister Vajpayee, extended unconditional solidarity. He conveyed clearly that extremism has no place in democracy. Despite the US often working against India’s strategic interests, Vajpayee chose principle over politics and stood firmly with America. That gesture is remembered even today by older generations in the US. It was a turning point that elevated Indo-US relations to a new level.
Now contrast this with our own internal politics. When Pulwama or Pahalgam attacks occurred, instead of standing shoulder to shoulder with the government and the armed forces, opposition voices began questioning them. This is the tragedy of India—where national security often gets reduced to party politics. True statesmanship demands unity in times of crisis, not point-scoring.
Looking ahead, the global order itself is shifting. The era of a unipolar or bipolar world is gone. What lies ahead is a multipolar system, where cooperation is no longer optional but necessary. The United States and other powers must accept this reality.
Above all, the world must unite—if not on every issue, then at least on one: the fight against terror. Let us hope common sense prevails among nations, for humanity can no longer afford otherwise.
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