logo
Pakistan to consider de-escalation in India clash after latest strikes

Pakistan to consider de-escalation in India clash after latest strikes

The Age10-05-2025
Wing Commander Vyomika Singh said India was committed to 'non-escalation' provided that Pakistan reciprocated. However, she said Pakistani ground forces were observed mobilising towards forward areas, 'indicating an offensive intent to further escalate the situation'.
'Indian armed forces remain in a high state of operational readiness,' she said.
Singh said Indian armed forces carried out 'precision strikes only at identified military targets in response to Pakistani actions', which included technical infrastructure, command and control centres, radar sites and weapon storage areas to ensure 'minimum collateral damage', and that Pakistan had overnight launched several high-speed missiles targeting air bases and civilian infrastructure in the northern Indian state of Punjab.
'All hostile actions have been effectively countered and responded to appropriately,' she said.
The Pakistani army's actions were 'provocation' and India's response had been 'measured', Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said.
Misri also rejected Pakistan military claims that it had destroyed several air force stations in India and caused serious damage to artillery depots, military establishments and critical infrastructure, including power stations.
The Pakistani military said earlier on Saturday it had used medium-range Fateh missiles to target an Indian missile storage facility and airbases in Pathankot and Udhampur.
Army spokesman Lieutenant General Ahmad Sharif said in a televised address that Pakistan's air force assets were safe after the Indian strikes, adding that some of the Indian missiles also hit India's eastern Punjab.
'This is a provocation of the highest order,' Sharif said.
Tensions between the nuclear-armed rivals have soared since an attack at a popular tourist site in India-controlled Kashmir left 26 civilians dead, mostly Hindu Indian tourists, on April 22. New Delhi has blamed Pakistan for backing the assault, an accusation Islamabad rejects.
Residents in Indian-controlled Kashmir said they heard loud explosions on Saturday in several parts of the region, including the two big cities of Srinagar and Jammu, and the garrison town of Udhampur.
'Explosions that we are hearing today are different from the ones we heard the last two nights during drone attacks,' said Shesh Paul Vaid, the region's former top police official and a resident of Jammu. 'It looks like a war here.'
Srinagar appeared calm early on Saturday, but some residents in neighbourhoods close to the city's airport, which is also an air base, said they were rattled by the explosions and the booming sound of fighter jets.
Loading
'I was already awake, but the explosions jolted my kids out of their sleep. They started crying,' said Yasin.
Despite the Indian attacks, life in Pakistan's major cities remained normal on Saturday morning, though the country's civil aviation authority said all airports had been shut for all flight operations.
As soon as they learnt that Pakistan had carried out a retaliatory strike, people were seen raising signs with slogans supporting Pakistan's armed forces.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

India's PM to meet China's top diplomat as ties improve
India's PM to meet China's top diplomat as ties improve

The Advertiser

time4 hours ago

  • The Advertiser

India's PM to meet China's top diplomat as ties improve

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet China's top diplomat in a sign of easing tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours after a years-long stand-off between the Asian powers. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who arrived in India on Monday, is scheduled to hold talks with Modi and other leaders on Tuesday about the disputed border in the Himalayan mountains. Reducing the number of troops on the border and possibly resuming trade in the contested region are expected to be on the agenda. The rebuilding of ties coincides with friction between New Delhi and Washington after US President Donald Trump imposed steep tariffs on India, a longtime ally seen as a counterbalance against China's influence in Asia. India is part of the Quad security alliance with the US, along with Australia and Japan. India and China's decades-old border dispute worsened in 2020 after a deadly clash between their troops in the Ladakh region. The chill in relations affected trade, diplomacy and air travel as both sides deployed tens of thousands of security forces in border areas. Some progress has been made since then. In 2024, India and China agreed to a pact on border patrols and withdrew additional forces along some border areas. Both countries continue to fortify their border by building roads and rail networks. In recent months, the countries have increased official visits and discussed easing some trade restrictions, movement of citizens and visas for businesspeople. In June, Beijing allowed pilgrims from India to visit holy sites in Tibet. Both sides are working to restore direct flights. Last week, an Indian foreign ministry spokesman said India and China were in discussions to restart trade through three points along their 3500km border. Before his meeting with Modi, Wang met India's national security adviser, Ajit Doval, and discussed the way forward to bolster the relationship. "The setbacks we experienced in the past few years were not in the interest of the people of our two countries. We are heartened to see the stability that is now restored in the borders," Wang said. The thaw between Beijing and New Delhi began last October when Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met at a summit of emerging economies in Russia. It was the first time the leaders had spoken in person since 2019. Modi is set to meet Xi when he travels to China in late August - his first visit in seven years - to attend the summit of the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation, a regional grouping formed by China, Russia and others to counter US influence in Asia. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet China's top diplomat in a sign of easing tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours after a years-long stand-off between the Asian powers. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who arrived in India on Monday, is scheduled to hold talks with Modi and other leaders on Tuesday about the disputed border in the Himalayan mountains. Reducing the number of troops on the border and possibly resuming trade in the contested region are expected to be on the agenda. The rebuilding of ties coincides with friction between New Delhi and Washington after US President Donald Trump imposed steep tariffs on India, a longtime ally seen as a counterbalance against China's influence in Asia. India is part of the Quad security alliance with the US, along with Australia and Japan. India and China's decades-old border dispute worsened in 2020 after a deadly clash between their troops in the Ladakh region. The chill in relations affected trade, diplomacy and air travel as both sides deployed tens of thousands of security forces in border areas. Some progress has been made since then. In 2024, India and China agreed to a pact on border patrols and withdrew additional forces along some border areas. Both countries continue to fortify their border by building roads and rail networks. In recent months, the countries have increased official visits and discussed easing some trade restrictions, movement of citizens and visas for businesspeople. In June, Beijing allowed pilgrims from India to visit holy sites in Tibet. Both sides are working to restore direct flights. Last week, an Indian foreign ministry spokesman said India and China were in discussions to restart trade through three points along their 3500km border. Before his meeting with Modi, Wang met India's national security adviser, Ajit Doval, and discussed the way forward to bolster the relationship. "The setbacks we experienced in the past few years were not in the interest of the people of our two countries. We are heartened to see the stability that is now restored in the borders," Wang said. The thaw between Beijing and New Delhi began last October when Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met at a summit of emerging economies in Russia. It was the first time the leaders had spoken in person since 2019. Modi is set to meet Xi when he travels to China in late August - his first visit in seven years - to attend the summit of the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation, a regional grouping formed by China, Russia and others to counter US influence in Asia. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet China's top diplomat in a sign of easing tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours after a years-long stand-off between the Asian powers. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who arrived in India on Monday, is scheduled to hold talks with Modi and other leaders on Tuesday about the disputed border in the Himalayan mountains. Reducing the number of troops on the border and possibly resuming trade in the contested region are expected to be on the agenda. The rebuilding of ties coincides with friction between New Delhi and Washington after US President Donald Trump imposed steep tariffs on India, a longtime ally seen as a counterbalance against China's influence in Asia. India is part of the Quad security alliance with the US, along with Australia and Japan. India and China's decades-old border dispute worsened in 2020 after a deadly clash between their troops in the Ladakh region. The chill in relations affected trade, diplomacy and air travel as both sides deployed tens of thousands of security forces in border areas. Some progress has been made since then. In 2024, India and China agreed to a pact on border patrols and withdrew additional forces along some border areas. Both countries continue to fortify their border by building roads and rail networks. In recent months, the countries have increased official visits and discussed easing some trade restrictions, movement of citizens and visas for businesspeople. In June, Beijing allowed pilgrims from India to visit holy sites in Tibet. Both sides are working to restore direct flights. Last week, an Indian foreign ministry spokesman said India and China were in discussions to restart trade through three points along their 3500km border. Before his meeting with Modi, Wang met India's national security adviser, Ajit Doval, and discussed the way forward to bolster the relationship. "The setbacks we experienced in the past few years were not in the interest of the people of our two countries. We are heartened to see the stability that is now restored in the borders," Wang said. The thaw between Beijing and New Delhi began last October when Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met at a summit of emerging economies in Russia. It was the first time the leaders had spoken in person since 2019. Modi is set to meet Xi when he travels to China in late August - his first visit in seven years - to attend the summit of the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation, a regional grouping formed by China, Russia and others to counter US influence in Asia. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet China's top diplomat in a sign of easing tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours after a years-long stand-off between the Asian powers. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who arrived in India on Monday, is scheduled to hold talks with Modi and other leaders on Tuesday about the disputed border in the Himalayan mountains. Reducing the number of troops on the border and possibly resuming trade in the contested region are expected to be on the agenda. The rebuilding of ties coincides with friction between New Delhi and Washington after US President Donald Trump imposed steep tariffs on India, a longtime ally seen as a counterbalance against China's influence in Asia. India is part of the Quad security alliance with the US, along with Australia and Japan. India and China's decades-old border dispute worsened in 2020 after a deadly clash between their troops in the Ladakh region. The chill in relations affected trade, diplomacy and air travel as both sides deployed tens of thousands of security forces in border areas. Some progress has been made since then. In 2024, India and China agreed to a pact on border patrols and withdrew additional forces along some border areas. Both countries continue to fortify their border by building roads and rail networks. In recent months, the countries have increased official visits and discussed easing some trade restrictions, movement of citizens and visas for businesspeople. In June, Beijing allowed pilgrims from India to visit holy sites in Tibet. Both sides are working to restore direct flights. Last week, an Indian foreign ministry spokesman said India and China were in discussions to restart trade through three points along their 3500km border. Before his meeting with Modi, Wang met India's national security adviser, Ajit Doval, and discussed the way forward to bolster the relationship. "The setbacks we experienced in the past few years were not in the interest of the people of our two countries. We are heartened to see the stability that is now restored in the borders," Wang said. The thaw between Beijing and New Delhi began last October when Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met at a summit of emerging economies in Russia. It was the first time the leaders had spoken in person since 2019. Modi is set to meet Xi when he travels to China in late August - his first visit in seven years - to attend the summit of the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation, a regional grouping formed by China, Russia and others to counter US influence in Asia.

India's PM to meet China's top diplomat as ties improve
India's PM to meet China's top diplomat as ties improve

Perth Now

time6 hours ago

  • Perth Now

India's PM to meet China's top diplomat as ties improve

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet China's top diplomat in a sign of easing tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours after a years-long stand-off between the Asian powers. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who arrived in India on Monday, is scheduled to hold talks with Modi and other leaders on Tuesday about the disputed border in the Himalayan mountains. Reducing the number of troops on the border and possibly resuming trade in the contested region are expected to be on the agenda. The rebuilding of ties coincides with friction between New Delhi and Washington after US President Donald Trump imposed steep tariffs on India, a longtime ally seen as a counterbalance against China's influence in Asia. India is part of the Quad security alliance with the US, along with Australia and Japan. India and China's decades-old border dispute worsened in 2020 after a deadly clash between their troops in the Ladakh region. The chill in relations affected trade, diplomacy and air travel as both sides deployed tens of thousands of security forces in border areas. Some progress has been made since then. In 2024, India and China agreed to a pact on border patrols and withdrew additional forces along some border areas. Both countries continue to fortify their border by building roads and rail networks. In recent months, the countries have increased official visits and discussed easing some trade restrictions, movement of citizens and visas for businesspeople. In June, Beijing allowed pilgrims from India to visit holy sites in Tibet. Both sides are working to restore direct flights. Last week, an Indian foreign ministry spokesman said India and China were in discussions to restart trade through three points along their 3500km border. Before his meeting with Modi, Wang met India's national security adviser, Ajit Doval, and discussed the way forward to bolster the relationship. "The setbacks we experienced in the past few years were not in the interest of the people of our two countries. We are heartened to see the stability that is now restored in the borders," Wang said. The thaw between Beijing and New Delhi began last October when Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met at a summit of emerging economies in Russia. It was the first time the leaders had spoken in person since 2019. Modi is set to meet Xi when he travels to China in late August - his first visit in seven years - to attend the summit of the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation, a regional grouping formed by China, Russia and others to counter US influence in Asia.

LNP trumpets Adani mine investment but remains coy on royalty deal
LNP trumpets Adani mine investment but remains coy on royalty deal

Sydney Morning Herald

time6 hours ago

  • Sydney Morning Herald

LNP trumpets Adani mine investment but remains coy on royalty deal

The news Premier David Crisafulli has touted an end to state 'hostilities' with the Indian-owned operator of the Carmichael coal mine amid a new $50 million investment promise from Bravus at the central Queensland site. But Crisafulli and Treasurer David Janetzki have declined to reveal details of the deal struck by the former Labor government allowing the company formerly known as Adani to defer royalty payments, which continues. It also remains unclear exactly how the government was able to reach the truce after its investigations into potential unpaid royalties led to the company taking court action to bring the matter to an end. Why it matters The then Labor government struck a confidential royalties deal with Adani ahead of the 2020 state election. At the time, treasurer Cameron Dick declared: 'Adani will pay every dollar in royalties that they have to pay to the people of Queensland and the taxpayers of Queensland – with interest.' After claims in early 2023 that the India-based conglomerate used corporate structures to avoid tax, the Queensland Revenue Office, which is part of Treasury and reported to Dick, put the company's Australian arm on notice. In a letter that emerged as part of the company's legal action, the revenue office said it was investigating underpayments between July 2021 and April 2023, which would need to be repaid with interest plus 'a penalty of 75 per cent of the shortfall'. A summary of the case on the Queensland Courts website shows that in January this year, Adani filed to discontinue its judicial review of the matter, launched last May.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store