New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi met National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on Tuesday morning for a high-level briefing amid escalating tensions with Pakistan following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, which left 26 civilians dead, making it the worst attack in India since the 2019 Pulwama bombing.
This is the second meeting between the Prime Minister and the NSA in 48 hours and comes just a day before a countrywide civil defence drill is set to take place—a move not seen since the 1971 Indo-Pak war. The drill, directed by the Centre, aims to strengthen preparedness in the event of a “hostile attack.”
Over the past week, PM Modi has held several strategy meetings with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, General Anil Chauhan (Chief of Defence Staff), the chiefs of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, and other key members of India’s national security apparatus. These back-to-back discussions have fueled speculation about a strong military response to the Pahalgam attack, which was claimed by The Resistance Front (TRF)—a known proxy of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba terror outfit.
India has publicly stated that it possesses actionable intelligence linking the Pakistan “deep state” to the planning of the attack. Despite Pakistan’s outright denial and calls for an international investigation, the United Nations Security Council, in a closed-door meeting, reportedly questioned Islamabad on Lashkar-e-Taiba’s involvement and the deliberate targeting of civilians and tourists. Pakistan, while reiterating its desire for peaceful relations and sovereign equality, faced tough scrutiny from UNSC members.
In response to the attack, India has already implemented a set of diplomatic measures. These include revoking visas for Pakistani nationals, closing border crossings, and suspending the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT)—a historic water-sharing agreement signed in 1960. The suspension of the IWT is considered a significant escalation, as the Indus River and its tributaries irrigate nearly 80% of Pakistan’s agricultural land. India has now begun increasing water storage, constructing new dams, and initiating hydroelectric projects, potentially impacting Pakistan’s water supply.
Pakistan responded by suspending Indian visas, freezing the 1972 Simla Agreement, and warning that any disruption of water flow under the IWT would be viewed as an “act of war.” Both nations have also closed their airspaces, further heightening the standoff.
While military action seems increasingly likely, the international community continues to urge restraint. Former US National Security Advisor John Bolton, acknowledged India’s right to defend its sovereignty and eliminate terrorist threats. However, he emphasized that India must demonstrate it has pursued every peaceful avenue before resorting to force, in order to uphold global norms and strengthen its diplomatic standing.
As both nations brace for what may come next, the coming days could prove pivotal in determining whether the situation escalates into open conflict—or whether diplomacy prevails.
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