Saturday, March 29, 2025
May 5, 2025
In the wake of the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, diplomatic and military developments continue to unfold rapidly. The Indian government has ramped up its response on multiple fronts—military, diplomatic, and economic—as tensions between India and Pakistan escalate.
Japan has extended its full support to India following the Pahalgam attack. The Japanese Speaker of the House of Representatives, Fukushiro Nukaga, met with India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in New Delhi on Monday. In addition, Japan’s Defence Ministry has issued a statement affirming its solidarity with India in combating terrorism.
India’s Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh met Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss the evolving situation. Earlier, Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh and Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi had also briefed the Prime Minister on the armed forces’ operational preparedness. The discussions indicate India’s heightened alert along its borders.
On Monday, Pakistani troops reportedly violated the ceasefire agreement along multiple sectors of the Line of Control (LoC) and the international border in Jammu. The Indian Army responded with “prompt and proportionate” action, according to an official statement, which accused Pakistan of initiating unprovoked small arms fire.
At Pakistan’s request, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) will hold “closed consultations” on Monday to discuss rising tensions with India. Greece, which holds the rotating UNSC presidency for May, has welcomed the meeting as a chance to help de-escalate hostilities. Pakistan will chair the Council in July.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Pakistan to help ease tensions. He is scheduled to meet Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, President Asif Ali Zardari, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Although the Pakistani foreign ministry has not released detailed information, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar stated that “Pakistan is presenting its case to friendly countries.”
Pakistan’s federal government and military held a briefing for all political parties on the state of relations with India. According to Dawn, the jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) party also joined the session virtually. The meeting resulted in a joint statement pledging a “robust response” should India carry out any retaliatory action.
In a strong retaliatory move, India has suspended aspects of the Indus Waters Treaty. According to reports by Hindustan Times, India has cut off water flow from the Baglihar Dam on the Chenab River to Pakistan. Steps are also being taken to reduce water runoff from the Kishanganga Project on the Jhelum River. This comes after India vowed not to allow a “single drop” of Indus water to flow into Pakistan.
At a public event, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh declared, “It is my duty to ensure the safety of our borders alongside our soldiers. Anyone who dares to attack our country will receive a fitting reply.”
As the international community watches closely, India has taken swift measures following the Pahalgam terror attack. With military readiness heightened and diplomatic pressure building, the situation between India and Pakistan remains tense. All eyes are now on the UNSC consultations and Iran’s mediation efforts.
