May 8th 2025.
In a media briefing on Thursday, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri addressed the current tensions between India and Pakistan. He stated that the recent escalation in the situation was caused by Pakistan, specifically citing the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22nd. This attack, which resulted in the deaths of 26 people (mostly tourists), prompted India to respond with Operation Sindoor.
Misri made it clear that India's approach is not to escalate the situation, but rather to only respond to acts of aggression. He pointed out that at the recent UNSC meeting, Pakistan opposed mentioning the terror group, The Resistance Force, which had claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam attack. Misri also expressed concern over the impact of Pakistan's retaliatory actions on civilians, referencing the firings along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir.
The choice of de-escalation, according to Misri, lies with Pakistan as they were the ones who initially escalated the situation. He also highlighted Pakistan's reputation as a hub of global terrorism and their long history of cross-border terrorism against India.
Regarding India's recent actions, Misri stated that they were restrained and focused solely on terrorist infrastructure. In response to the Pahalgam attack, Indian armed forces conducted missile strikes on terror targets, including Bahawalpur, a stronghold of the Jaish-e-Mohammad terror group.
In addition to the tensions between the two countries, Misri also mentioned the ongoing disputes over the Indus Waters Treaty. He accused Pakistan of deliberately creating roadblocks on this issue over the years.
On Wednesday, the defence ministry announced that the Pakistani military had attempted to target multiple locations in India, but their efforts were thwarted and a Pakistani air defence system was destroyed in Lahore.
Despite these challenges, Misri expressed hope that the situation can be de-escalated, but ultimately it is up to Pakistan to make that choice. As the tension between the two countries continues, India remains committed to protecting its citizens and responding to any acts of aggression.
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