S. Asian rivals pledge restraint — if the other does the same

Despite featuring in the most serious flare-up since the 1971 war, both India and Pakistan have publicly expressed a conditional willingness to halt escalation

SITUATIONER

May 10, 2025

AMID heightened military tensions, both India and Pakistan have indicated they would be willing to avoid further escalation — provided the other side reciprocates. This mutual, conditional overture has raised hopes of a possible de-escalation following the most intense exchange of hostilities since the 1971 war in what was then East Pakistan.

According to the Associated Press, officials from both nuclear-armed nations confirmed their readiness to refrain from further military action if the other side does the same. This comes on the heels of a series of strikes and counter-strikes that have pushed the two countries perilously close to full war.

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, stated that Islamabad would consider standing down if New Delhi ceased any further attacks. However, he issued a stark warning that any new Indian aggression would provoke a strong response. Speaking to Geo News, Dar disclosed that he had delivered this message directly to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio during a recent conversation. “We responded with missile strikes because our patience had reached its limit,” he said. “If India halts its actions here, we too will consider stopping.”

On the Indian side, Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, a spokesperson for the Indian military, told reporters that India was committed to a policy of non-escalation, contingent on a similar approach from Pakistan. Nevertheless, she noted that Pakistani ground troops had been observed advancing towards forward positions — actions she said suggested preparations for further aggression.

In efforts to defuse the situation, Secretary Rubio spoke separately with Pakistan’s Army Chief, General Asim Munir, and senior Indian officials, urging both parties to seek diplomatic solutions. Rubio's spokesperson, Tammy Bruce, said the United States stood ready to facilitate dialogue aimed at preventing further conflict.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reassured political leaders that the country had delivered a strong response to repeated Indian attacks on civilians. A statement from his office declared that Pakistan had exercised “extreme restraint” but was ultimately compelled to respond after overnight Indian missile attacks on airbases and strategic locations.

China, a longstanding ally of Pakistan, also weighed in. Expressing deep concern over the growing hostilities, the Chinese Foreign Ministry urged both nations to exercise restraint and return to the path of political negotiation. “We strongly urge both sides to act in the larger interest of peace and stability,” a spokesperson said.

The Group of Seven (G7) nations also issued a joint call for calm, condemning the militant attack in Occupied Kashmir on 22 April, which ignited the current conflict. The G7 warned that any further escalation could threaten regional stability and called on both sides to engage in direct talks.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi convened an emergency meeting at his residence with top defence and security officials, including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, as well as the chiefs of India’s armed forces.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said that during a phone call, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, commended Pakistan’s measured response and agreed with Ishaq Dar to maintain close diplomatic contact as the situation develops.