Recent events have brought the complex relationship between India and Pakistan back into sharp focus, particularly concerning the ever-present possibility of armed conflict. In light of recent tensions and historical context, the perspectives of military leaders, both past and present, offer valuable insight.
Following the deadly attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Kashmir on April 22, 2025, which resulted in 26 casualties, including foreigners and locals, tensions between India and Pakistan have escalated. India has alleged the involvement of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) offshoot, The Resistance Front (TRF), a charge Pakistan denies, calling for a neutral investigation. This incident triggered a series of retaliatory measures, including India's launch of "Operation Sindoor" on May 7, 2025, involving missile strikes on alleged terrorist infrastructures in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Pakistan, in turn, conducted a training launch of its Abdali Weapon System, a surface-to-surface missile, amidst the heightened tensions.
Amid these developments, former Indian Army Chief General Manoj Naravane has emphasized the importance of diplomacy and dialogue in resolving disputes. Speaking at an event in Pune on May 11, 2025, he criticized those questioning the suspension of hostilities, asserting that "war is not romantic" and not akin to a "Bollywood movie". He stressed that while he would follow orders to engage in war, his preference would always be to settle differences through discussion. Naravane highlighted the human cost of conflict, particularly the trauma experienced by civilians, including children, in border areas. He also pointed out the economic implications, stating that a "wise person" considers the cost of war before losses become insurmountable.
Naravane's comments came in the wake of Operation Sindoor and the subsequent US-brokered ceasefire, which some Indian voices have criticized. He defended the strikes, suggesting they demonstrated to Pakistan that the cost of continuing its current path would be "too high," compelling them to discuss a ceasefire. However, he clarified that the cessation of military operations was not a ceasefire and urged people to observe how events unfold.
Echoing this sentiment, India's former High Commissioner to Pakistan, G Parthasarthy, stated that Pakistan's army chief, General Asim Munir, was repeating the "mistakes" of Pervez Musharraf by initiating conflict. Parthasarthy referenced the Kargil conflict in 1999, stating that India "taught them a lesson" then and drove them out.
The Kargil War, fought between May and July 1999 in the Kargil district of Ladakh, remains a significant point of reference in India-Pakistan relations. Triggered by the infiltration of Pakistani troops into strategic positions on the Indian side of the Line of Control (LoC), the conflict saw the Indian Army, supported by the Air Force, recapture most of the positions. The Kargil conflict also highlights the importance of communication between the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) of both countries. The DGMO hotline, established in 1971 and strengthened through the Simla Agreement of 1972, has been used to de-escalate tensions, discuss ceasefire violations, and maintain communication across the LoC. During the Kargil War, the hotline was used to de-escalate hostilities and declare military positions.
Despite ceasefire agreements and communication channels, the potential for conflict remains. As General Naravane stated, "wars will be forced upon us by unwise people," underscoring the need for continued vigilance and preparedness. However, he and other voices advocate for diplomacy and dialogue as the primary means of resolving disputes, recognizing the human and economic costs of war.
