The previous escalation of hostilities between India and Pakistan exposed a stark reality for Indian officials: the nation’s extensive armed forces were burdened by outdated equipment and lacked preparedness for imminent border threats.
Following the embarrassing loss of an Indian fighter jet in 2019, India accelerated efforts to modernize its military. Prime Minister Narendra Modi committed substantial funding, sought new international defense collaborations, and prioritized expanding domestic arms manufacturing capabilities.
The effectiveness of these modernization initiatives is poised to face a significant challenge.
With tensions between India and Pakistan escalating over a deadly terrorist attack in Kashmir attributed by India to Pakistan-linked groups, a potential military confrontation looms. India has pledged retaliation and announced an unprecedented move to disrupt the flow of a major river system into Pakistan, a measure never before taken even during past wars.
Pakistan has denied any role in the Kashmir attack and condemned India’s water disruption plan as an "act of war."
The recent killing of over two dozen tourists in a picturesque valley has deeply shocked India and increased domestic pressure on the government to respond decisively. Experts warn that the situation could spiral into a prolonged and hazardous standoff, especially as diplomatic ties between the two nuclear-armed neighbors have deteriorated and international attention is focused elsewhere.
