What the US Terror Designations Mean for Balochistan and Regional Stability

The recent designation of the Balochistan Liberation Army and Majeed Brigade as Foreign Terrorist Organizations by the US marks a significant shift in counter-terrorism efforts. This move not only reinforces America's commitment to fighting terrorism but also limits China's influence in the region. Analysts suggest that these actions highlight Pakistan's double standards in dealing with terrorism while seeking global sympathy for its own issues. The geopolitical significance of Balochistan, rich in resources yet underdeveloped, raises moral and strategic concerns for India. The ongoing unrest and exploitation in the region could have far-reaching implications for stability in South Asia and beyond.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 13, 2025, 16:15 IST

US Designates Balochistan Liberation Army as Terrorist Organization

Washington: The recent designation of the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and the Majeed Brigade as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTO) by the United States, along with President Donald Trump's announcement of US investments in oil exploration in Balochistan, underscores America's dedication to combating international terrorism. This move also restricts China's ability to justify its expanding military presence in the region under the guise of protecting the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), according to a prominent analyst.

On Monday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the designation of the BLA and its affiliate, the Majeed Brigade, as FTOs, emphasizing the Trump Administration's resolve to tackle terrorism.

Last month, Washington had also classified The Resistance Front (TRF) as an FTO and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT), supporting India's long-held view that the TRF is not an independent militant group but a proxy for the Pakistan-based terrorist organization Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), which has been used to mask Pakistan's ongoing support for terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.

John Spencer, Executive Director at the Urban Warfare Institute, noted that these consecutive designations reflect the United States' commitment under President Trump to address terrorism globally.

Spencer pointed out that these actions reveal Pakistan's hypocrisy, as Islamabad continues to harbor and support groups like LeT and Jaish-e-Mohammed while seeking international sympathy for its own insurgencies. He remarked that the same nation claiming to be a terrorism victim has been one of its most persistent sponsors.

The analyst believes that the Trump administration's decisive stance on both TRF and BLA indicates that New Delhi's concerns regarding Pakistan's duplicity are resonating in Washington.

According to Spencer, these designations serve various interests for the United States. They enhance America's credibility as a global leader against terrorism, counter China's attempts to increase its security presence in Pakistan, protect potential US investments in Balochistan's energy and mineral sectors, and contribute to stability along vital maritime and trade routes in the Arabian Sea. Furthermore, these actions align US and Indian goals in exposing and isolating Pakistan's support for militant organizations.

Balochistan, located in Pakistan's southwest, shares borders with Afghanistan to the north, Iran to the west, and the Arabian Sea to the south. It is the largest province in Pakistan, covering half of the country's land area and home to approximately 12 million residents.

The province features a diverse landscape of rugged mountains, desert plateaus, and a 770-kilometer coastline, which includes the deep-water port of Gwadar. Despite its rich natural resources, including natural gas, coal, copper, gold, and rare earth minerals, Balochistan remains one of the poorest and least developed regions in South Asia, grappling with high unemployment, low literacy rates, and inadequate infrastructure.

Strategically located at the crossroads of South Asia, the Middle East, and Central Asia, Balochistan holds significant geopolitical and economic importance. With over 1,000 kilometers of coastline along the Arabian Sea and proximity to crucial maritime trade routes, it serves as a natural gateway to Central Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.

Earlier this month, prominent Baloch human rights advocate Mir Yar Baloch penned an open letter to Indian public and government sector companies, urging collaboration to unlock Balochistan's vast potential, which is believed to contain trillions of dollars worth of untapped resources, including rare earth minerals, gold, copper, oil, coal, lithium, and natural gas. Despite this wealth, the region has suffered from decades of exploitation and occupation, leaving it underdeveloped.

For India, the unrest in Balochistan poses both a moral and strategic dilemma. Morally, the Baloch people deserve global attention for the severe human rights violations they endure, including enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and systematic denial of political rights. Strategically, instability in Balochistan threatens the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), as rising discontent over Chinese exploitation of the province's resources has led to repeated BLA attacks on Chinese nationals and Pakistani security forces.

In response, China has initiated discussions with Pakistan to establish a joint security initiative to safeguard its investments and personnel. Reports suggest that Beijing is eager to deploy its own security forces in Pakistan, following a model it recently implemented in Myanmar to protect infrastructure projects amid the country's civil unrest.

However, Spencer emphasizes that lasting peace in Balochistan will only be achievable if Pakistan shifts from military repression to political dialogue, equitable resource distribution, and respect for human rights.

Until such changes occur, Balochistan will continue to be a fracture in Pakistan's sovereignty, a pressure point for China's regional ambitions, and a stark contrast to Pakistan's narrative regarding Kashmir.