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Elusive peace
🇵🇰 Pakistan /Conflict & Security

Elusive peace

From Dawn · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

Analysis Named sources Context piece
  • India has sent mixed signals regarding the normalization of relations with Pakistan, with some advocating for dialogue and others issuing strong military rhetoric.
  • The Indian government, under Prime Minister Modi, is accused of using anti-Pakistan sentiment and the issue of terrorism to gain votes and maintain power.
  • Pakistan has responded to India's assertive stance, particularly after alleged military strikes in April 2025, by warning of a "quid pro quo plus" response to any future aggression.

India's approach to normalizing relations with Pakistan has been characterized by conflicting messages this month. While Dattatreya Hosabale, secretary general of the Hindu extremist organization RSS, proposed an "open window for dialogue" including diplomatic ties, visa issuance, trade, and people-to-people contacts, these sentiments were quickly overshadowed.

The window for dialogue with Pakistan should always be open.

— Dattatreya HosabaleSecretary general of the RSS, proposing diplomatic ties and increased contact.

Serving army chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi issued a stark warning, stating Pakistan must decide whether it wishes to remain "part of geography or history." This statement, condemned by Pakistan's ISPR as "madness and warmongering," reflects what the article describes as the "hegemonic mindset of the Narendra Modi regime." The Pakistani perspective is that the Modi government is not genuinely interested in peace but rather in consolidating a Hindutva-led polity in India, using anti-Pakistan rhetoric and the terrorism issue to secure votes and power.

Pakistan must decide whether it wants to remain a 'part of geography or history'.

— Gen Upendra DwivediServing Indian army chief, issuing a stark warning to Pakistan.

The article details India's "new Modi doctrine," reportedly authorized by Prime Minister Modi after the Pahalgam terrorist attack in April 2025. This doctrine suggests a severe military response to every act of terrorism, a refusal to distinguish between non-state and state-sponsored terrorism, and a rejection of being blackmailed by nuclear escalation threats. This strategy aims to expand space for kinetic confrontation below the nuclear threshold.

Madness and warmongering.

— ISPRPakistan's Inter-Services Public Relations, condemning the remarks by the Indian army chief.

However, Pakistan's response during a May 2025 stand-off reportedly challenged this doctrine. Pakistan demonstrated its defensive capabilities against a larger neighbor, thwarted India's diplomatic isolation campaign, and dealt a setback to India's regional hegemonic ambitions. Pakistan has made it clear that any future military misadventure under the "Modi doctrine" will be met with a "quid pro quo plus" response, indicating a readiness for a significant counteraction.

The response to every act of terrorism in India would be severe military action against Pakistan; India would not distinguish between terrorism by a non-state actor and state-sponsored terrorism; and India would not be blackmailed by the threat of nuclear escalation.

— Prime Minister ModiDescribing the 'new Modi doctrine' announced after the Pahalgam terrorist attack.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Dawn. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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