Singapore condemns Delhi Red Fort blast, pledges solidarity with India

On the evening of November 10, a Hyundai i20 parked near the Subhash Marg traffic signal close to New Delhi's Red Fort detonated around 7 p.m., killing multiple people and injuring others. The slow-moving vehicle exploded with enough force to damage nearby cars. Union Home Minister Amit Shah confirmed the basic facts of the blast and noted that investigators were exploring all possibilities as to its cause and motive. Within days, the incident had drawn formal condemnation from governments across the world and triggered a major counterterrorism investigation.

Singapore's Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan issued a statement on Thursday expressing his country's strong condemnation of what he called a terror incident. He extended condolences to the families of those killed and wished the injured a swift recovery, framing Singapore's response as standing alongside India during a difficult period. The statement was characteristic of the international response: measured, sympathetic, and framed as solidarity with a neighboring democracy facing a security threat.

The United States took a more direct stance. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking on Wednesday, described the Delhi blast as "clearly" a terrorist attack. He praised India's professionalism in conducting the investigation and noted that while the US had offered assistance, India possessed the capability to handle the probe independently. Rubio also acknowledged awareness of the blast's potential to escalate into something larger, though he stopped short of elaborating on what that might entail. His remarks suggested confidence in India's investigative capacity while hinting at broader regional security concerns.

Preliminary investigation revealed a connection to what authorities described as a white-collar terror network with links to Pakistan-based militant groups Jaish-e-Mohammad and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind. The network allegedly included doctors and clerics among its members. Between October 19 and November 10, coordinated operations had dismantled this network, resulting in the seizure of 2,921 kilograms of explosives and multiple arrests. The timing suggested the Red Fort blast may have been connected to or carried out by elements of this broader conspiracy.

India's Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, convened to address the explosion. The Cabinet characterized it as a heinous terror incident and directed that the investigation proceed with utmost urgency and professionalism, with the explicit goal of identifying perpetrators, collaborators, and sponsors for prosecution without delay. The National Investigation Agency was assigned to lead the probe. Delhi Police registered cases under terrorism statutes, the Explosives Act, and relevant criminal provisions at the Kotwali Police Station.

China and Russia also issued statements. Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian expressed sympathy for those affected and extended condolences to bereaved families. Russian Ambassador to India Denis Alipov posted that he was shocked by the explosion and expressed confidence that the investigation would determine its cause, while offering condolences and wishes for the injured's recovery. The breadth of international response underscored the significance of an attack at one of Delhi's most recognizable landmarks.

As the investigation deepened, security measures were heightened across major Indian cities. The blast had exposed a vulnerability at a site of immense historical and symbolic importance, and authorities moved to prevent further incidents while the National Investigation Agency pursued leads into the network's structure, funding, and operational planning. The investigation remained ongoing, with the full scope of the conspiracy still being uncovered.