The regions of southwest Asia are on high alert as the nuclear powered nations of India and Pakistan have traded attacks that are consistently getting more and more severe. The history of tension between the two countries dates back to the early 20th century when Britain divided the region between Pakistan and India based on religious lines. Since then, the two nations have exchanged fire on one another including major conflicts in 1947, 1965, and 1971.
Pakistan and India have also both bolstered their nuclear programs as a form of deterrent to the other. While many don’t believe that the current state of things could lead to a nuclear standoff between the two nations it is still worth mentioning.
Tensions came to a new high last month when Pakistani militants attacked tourists in India administered Kashmir, where 26 people were killed and dozens injured. In the fallout of the attack, India blamed the Pakistani regime for the attack while Pakistan has claimed they had nothing to do with it and that terrorists were to blame. Pakistan also took the steps to alert the US of what happened and are urging for a neutral investigation by the international community.
After the attacks in Kashmir, India plotted for taking “necessary actions” to respond to the attacks. India proceeded to respond with a missile barrage that was aimed at “terrorist targets”. The strikes killed at least 31 people including 2 children. The Indian government claimed the attacks were not escalatory in nature but were a response to the attacks in Kashmir. India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh added that “The targets we had set were destroyed with exactness according to a well planned strategy.. We have shown sensitivity by ensuring that no civilian population was affected in the slightest.”
However, despite India’s potential willingness to potentially deescalate, Pakistan has made it clear that they will respond right back, raising fears that all out war could break out with the two nations.Pakistan claimed that the retaliation from India was an act of war and has made clear that they vow to respond. Senior officials called the attack “unprovoked” and that the missile strikes were an “unlawful act of war”.
Despite the escalation between Pakistan and India, many have called for restraint. US President Donald Trump called the attacks “a shame” and that “I just hope that it ends very quickly.”
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres hopes that the two nuclear powered nations can show restraint, and that the world can not have these two states at odds with one another. “The world cannot afford a military confrontation between India and Pakistan,” he said.
Fears of escalation over the conflict have also come with fears of nuclear war in the region as both states have around 117 nuclear weapons at both of their disposals. While this is a concern for some, it is unlikely that the conflict would take this kind of turn as both states have their weapons as a deterrent from external forces.
The question now remains how will Pakistan respond. Since the attacks made by India, Pakistan has made it abundantly clear that they will respond. The ultimate question is will it be restrained? Or will it lead to further escalation between the two countries.