The recent strikes by India against alleged terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir have intensified already heightened tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, raising concerns about the normalization of warfare in the region. These events mark a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between India and Pakistan, with potentially far-reaching consequences for regional stability and international relations.
The strikes, which India has dubbed "Operation Sindoor," were a direct response to the April 22, 2025, attack in Pahalgam, Indian-administered Kashmir, where militants killed 26 civilians, mostly Indian tourists. India has blamed the Pakistani government for backing the attack, a charge Islamabad denies. According to Indian officials, the strikes targeted nine terrorist camps. However, Pakistan asserts that the strikes hit civilian areas and mosques, resulting in the deaths of at least 26 people.
This recent military action fits into a pattern of retaliatory strikes between India and Pakistan, particularly following significant terrorist attacks. The 2019 Pulwama attack, for instance, led to India conducting airstrikes in Balakot, Pakistan. These events demonstrate a worrying trend of normalizing cross-border military actions as a means of settling disputes and responding to perceived threats.
Several factors contribute to this normalization of warfare. Firstly, there is intense domestic pressure on the Indian government to respond forcefully to terrorist attacks. The current hyper-nationalist government in New Delhi is particularly susceptible to such pressure. Secondly, a long-standing precedent exists for retaliatory actions, with both countries engaging in strikes and counter-strikes. Thirdly, the narrative control and information warfare that both countries engage in makes it difficult to verify facts, and allows each country to assert wins over the other.
The international community has expressed concern over the escalating tensions and the potential for further conflict. The United States has urged both sides to seek a peaceful resolution, but its approach has been perceived as more hands-off compared to previous crises. This perceived lack of strong U.S. backing may have emboldened India to take more assertive action.
The normalization of warfare between India and Pakistan carries significant risks. It undermines bilateral trust, exacerbates regional instability, and sets a dangerous precedent for the use of force in international relations. The fact that both countries possess nuclear weapons further amplifies these risks, raising the specter of nuclear escalation. Furthermore, the disregard for international law and the targeting of civilian areas erode the foundations of the global order and undermine the fight against transnational extremism.
To prevent further escalation and promote stability, it is crucial for both India and Pakistan to de-escalate tensions through diplomatic channels, engage in meaningful dialogue to address the root causes of the conflict, and adhere to international law and humanitarian principles. The international community must also play a more active role in facilitating dialogue and promoting a peaceful resolution to the long-standing dispute over Kashmir. Without such efforts, the normalization of warfare between India and Pakistan will continue to pose a grave threat to regional and global security.
