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The Hindu
16-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Pakistan Foreign Minister calls for 'composite dialogue' with India to address contentious issues
Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has called for a 'composite dialogue' with India to address the contentious issues between the two sides. India made it clear that it will have a dialogue with Pakistan only on the return of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and the issue of terrorism. Addressing the Senate on Thursday (May 15, 2025), Mr. Dar said the "ceasefire" with India has been extended till May 18, but a political dialogue will ultimately have to take place to resolve the problems between the two countries. India carried out precision strikes under 'Operation Sindoor' on terror infrastructure early on May 7 in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people. Following the Indian action, Pakistan attempted to attack Indian military bases on May 8, 9 and 10. India and Pakistan reached an understanding on May 10 to end the conflict after four days of intense cross-border drone and missile strikes. 'We have told the world that we will hold a composite dialogue,' Mr. Dar, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister, said. He also said that the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) of Pakistan and India would again get in contact on May 18. The composite dialogue was launched in 2003 when General Pervez Musharraf was ruling Pakistan. It had eight baskets of components, containing all contentious issues between the two countries. The dialogue was derailed after the 2008 Mumbai attacks. Mr. Dar also warned that any attempt to block Pakistan's water through the unlawful suspension of the Indus Water Treaty would be treated as "an act of war". Also on Thursday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif extended an offer of talks to India, saying Pakistan is ready to engage "for peace". Ties between India and Pakistan nose-dived after a terror attack on the Pathankot Air Force base in 2016 by terror groups based in the neighbouring country. Subsequent attacks, including one on an Indian Army camp in Uri, further deteriorated the relationship. The relationship dipped further after India's war planes pounded a Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist training camp deep inside Pakistan on February 26, 2019 in response to the Pulwama terror attack in which 40 CRPF jawans were killed. The relations deteriorated after India announced withdrawing the special powers of Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcation of the State into two union territories in August, 2019. The already frosty ties were further impacted after the Pahalgam terror attack.
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First Post
16-05-2025
- Politics
- First Post
'Pakistan committed to ceasefire, reducing tensions with India:' Pak foreign minister declares after Op Sindoor
Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar proposed a 'composite dialogue' with India, stressing commitment to the ceasefire read more Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has proposed a 'composite dialogue' with India to address bilateral issues, stating in the Senate on Thursday (May 15) that the current ceasefire, extended until May 18, must lead to political talks to resolve tensions. India, however, has conditioned any dialogue on Pakistan addressing the return of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and tackling terrorism. Dar also assured that Pakistan was committed to the ceasefire and de-escalation with India. 'Pakistan as a responsible state remains committed to the ceasefire and to taking necessary steps toward de-escalation and regional stability,' he said. On May 7, India conducted precision strikes under 'Operation Sindoor' targeting terror infrastructure, in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam attack that killed 26 people. Pakistan responded with attempted attacks on Indian military bases on May 8, 9, and 10. India and Pakistan reached an understanding on May 10 to end the conflict after four days of intense cross-border drone and missile strikes. 'We have told the world that we will hold a composite dialogue,' Dar, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister, said. He also said that the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) of Pakistan and India would again get in contact on May 18. The composite dialogue was launched in 2003 when General Pervez Musharraf was ruling Pakistan. It had eight baskets of components, containing all contentious issues between the two countries. The dialogue was derailed after the 2008 Mumbai attacks and not restored in proper form. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Dar also warned that any attempt to block Pakistan's water through the unlawful suspension of the Indus Water Treaty would be treated as 'an act of war'. Also on Thursday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif extended an offer of talks to India, saying Pakistan is ready to engage 'for peace'. Ties between India and Pakistan nose-dived after a terror attack on the Pathankot Air Force base in 2016 by terror groups based in the neighbouring country. Subsequent attacks, including one on an Indian Army camp in Uri, further deteriorated the relationship. The relationship dipped further after India's war planes pounded a Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist training camp deep inside Pakistan on February 26, 2019 in response to the Pulwama terror attack in which 40 CRPF jawans were killed. The relations deteriorated after India announced withdrawing the special powers of Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcation of the state into two union territories in August, 2019. The already frosty ties were further impacted after the Pahalgam terror attack. (With inputs from PTI)
Japan Forward
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Japan Forward
The Pahalgam Terror Attack and the Indian Response
India's recent precision strikes on nine terrorist hideouts in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir carry a big message — that India will not stop at anything to send a message to terrorists and their backers in Pakistan. What started it all was the April 22 terror attack on Pahalgam in the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. That attack killed 26 tourists, thereby opening up old wounds in India. It recalled the times of the attack on the Indian Parliament in 2001, the Mumbai terror attack of 2008, the Pathankot Air Force base attack in 2016, the Pulwama attack in 2019, and many others. As in the aftermath of the Pulwama attack of 2019, India has now chosen to strike deep inside Pakistan. By doing so, it has sent a message not only to Pakistan but to the wider world. Following the April 22 terror attack, India first put the Indus Water Treaty in abeyance. It is the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 that governs the sharing of river waters between the two countries. As Pakistan is short on water, especially during the dry months, this could be very crucial. New Delhi also suspended the movement of people and goods through the Attari-Wagah Border checkpost. Those Pakistani nationals who were already in India with valid documents were allowed to return by May 1, 2025. In addition, New Delhi suspended the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) for Pakistani nationals. (SAARC stands for South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation.) Any SVES visas issued in the past have been deemed canceled. At the same time, India expelled all Pakistani military, naval, and air advisors based at the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi by declaring them persona non grata . India has also withdrawn its military advisors from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad. In addition, the strength of the Indian High Commission in Pakistan has also been pared down. In the early hours of May 7, Indian aircraft fired missiles from inside Indian territory. Those missiles hit 9 terror hideouts inside Pakistan as part of "Operation Sindoor." That attack appeared to take Pakistan completely by surprise. In the second round of attacks, India targeted missile defense sites in some of the major Pakistani cities. Those were in retaliation for the attacks on civilians in the border areas of Jammu and Kashmir, across what is known as the Line of Control. Later, in the early hours of May 10, India also hit a series of other military targets in Pakistan in retaliation for the attacks by Pakistan on civilian targets. Such airstrikes and missile strikes undoubtedly rattled Pakistan and its backers. At the same time, New Delhi reached out to its different countries, especially members of the United Nations Security Council. Many of them have already expressed an understanding of the Indian position. Villagers survey damage caused by an attack in Kashmir on May 10. (©AP via Kyodo News) The world now has to decide which side it is on. Terrorism is a universal problem that can impact every country. It is worth mentioning here that the Americans killed Osama bin Laden inside Pakistan. Many Western countries have themselves been at the receiving end of terrorist attacks on their citizens. It is worth mentioning here that Japanese nationals were killed in terrorism incidents in Syria and also in Bangladesh. Hence, Japan, too, needs to be careful, especially as terrorists do not spare people based on nationality. As events unfolded, Indian Foreign Minister Dr S Jaishankar also spoke to Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya, and Japan has expressed an understanding of the Indian position. In a written statement, the Japanese foreign minister noted: "Regarding the terrorist attack that occurred in Kashmir on April 22, Japan once again strongly condemns such terrorist acts. In this regard, Japan is deeply concerned that the recent series of events could lead to further reprisals and escalate into a full-scale military conflict." Meanwhile, in the global sphere, Turkey and Azerbaijan have come out in support of Pakistan. There are some lessons to be learned here. India had mounted a massive rescue operation in the aftermath of the earthquake in Turkey in February 2023. However, Ankara seems to have forgotten that now. US President Donald Trump (©AP via Kyodo) The Chinese factor cannot be ignored, either. China has been a steadfast backer of Pakistan in all forums. Beijing has been pushing an anti-India narrative on all fronts, including getting close to another of India's neighbors, Bangladesh. Mention should be made here of the Chinese "String of Pearls" strategy. That reflects China's aim of encircling India from all sides with Chinese-run ports in Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. Ultimately, the trajectory of this conflict will depend on the kind of stand taken by the members of the United Nations Security Council. India has made it clear that it will retaliate against any further attacks from Pakistan. The fact that the Indian strikes took place late into the night shows that India wanted to avoid civilian casualties. What is good to know is that India has shown that even though both India and Pakistan are nuclear-armed nations, a conventional war below the nuclear threshold is still a viable proposition. Hence, propping up terror outfits as a kind of low-cost warfare will not work anymore for Pakistan. In very positive news, a ceasefire went into effect from 1700 hours local time on May 10, 2025. India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri noted that the Director General of Military Operations for Pakistan called his Indian counterpart, and the two sides worked out a ceasefire. US President Donald Trump also announced this on his social media platform, Truth Social. He said the decision was reached after a "long night" of talks mediated by the United States, although India has disagreed with President Trump on that point. The cessation of hostilities, for now, is indeed a welcome augury for the region and the world. Author: Dr Rupakjyoti Borah Dr Rupakjyoti Borah is a Senior Research Fellow with the Japan Forum for Strategic Studies. The views expressed here are personal.
NDTV
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Uri Was A Blockbuster, How India Striking Pakistan In Balakot Made It A Cult Hit
On January 11, 2019, when Aditya Dhar released his film starring Vicky Kaushal and Yami Gautam, it didn't just perform well - it became an instant sensation. And why not? Uri: The Surgical Strike was crafted with the perfect recipe for a Bollywood blockbuster. Uri had everything. Nationalism, patriotism, a strong ensemble cast, and a war setting that struck an emotional chord with millions of Indians. Within no time, this film worth Rs 25 crore turned into one of the biggest hits of 2019. And the phrase "How's the Josh?" suddenly found its way into every living room, school corridor, political rally, and social media feed. It became a cultural catchphrase. Beyond the drama and dialogue, what truly made Uri a success was the pride it instilled in Indians already high on the josh of nationalism. The film resonated deeply because at its core, it gave Indians both pride and tears - watching a retaliation unfold against our neighbour on the big screen - and a well-made one at that. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Vicky Kaushal (@vickykaushal09) The film was based on the 2016 Uri terrorist attack, carried out by four heavily armed terrorists from the Pakistan-based group Jaish-e-Mohammed. They infiltrated into Indian territory and launched a pre-dawn assault on an Indian Army brigade headquarters near the town of Uri in Jammu and Kashmir. This deadly attack claimed the lives of 19 Indian soldiers while they slept in their barracks. It was one of the deadliest attacks on Indian security forces in years, and left the nation groping in the dark for words. What made it worse was that it came just months after the January 2016 Pathankot Air Force base attack - another chilling reminder of the growing threats faced by India. The Uri strike triggered a strong shift in India's military and political response to cross-border terrorism. For the first time in decades, India changed its approach. Before 2016, both India and Pakistan had somehow managed to maintain a brittle cultural and economic relationship. There were occasional cricket matches, trade relations, and artistic exchanges - Pakistani singers were lending their voices to Indian films, actors featured in Bollywood, and art travelled freely. But after repeated terror attacks, including in Uri, the cultural borders too began to solidify and shut down. The Strike Back Anyway, back to that September morning in 2016. The Indian government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and guided by National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, decided that a mere diplomatic response wouldn't suffice. What followed was something unprecedented, a series of carefully orchestrated retaliatory military operations, now known as the Uri surgical strikes. These operations were the first of its kind in modern Indian defence history. They were not rash or impulsive, but thoroughly strategised. Agencies like ISRO provided satellite images, DRDO contributed with drone surveillance, and RAW helped in gathering precise intelligence. The Indian Army crossed the Line of Control and destroyed multiple terror launch pads in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The mission was executed with remarkable precision - and with no Indian casualties - sending a clear and bold message: attacks on Indian soil would be met with direct consequences. Just a year later, the story began being adapted for the big screen. Uri: The Surgical Strike was announced in 2017 by its producers, and was released on January 11, 2019. It went on to earn a massive Rs 342 crore worldwide and remained in cinemas for 13 weeks. But even as the movie celebrated the success of the surgical strikes, reality once again jolted the nation. Pulwama 2019 On February 14, 2019, merely a month after the film's release, India faced one of its darkest days. A suicide bomber from Jaish-e-Mohammed rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into a convoy of CRPF personnel on the Srinagar-Jammu highway in Pulwama, killing 40 soldiers. It was one of the deadliest attacks in Jammu and Kashmir's recent history, sparking nationwide outrage and a clamour for retaliation. And retaliate we did. On February 16, 2019, in another historic military action, India launched the Balakot airstrike. This operation targeted a key terror training camp in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province - deep within enemy territory. It was the first Indian air strike across the LoC since 1971, and it marked a new phase in India's counter-terrorism doctrine. The Balakot airstrike had an unintended yet powerful ripple effect on Uri 's box office journey. Patriotism surged once more, and audiences flocked back to cinemas. The film, which had made Rs 35 crore in its third week, saw renewed interest and ended its theatrical run with a whopping Rs 342 crore. In fact, additional screens were added in several cities during this time. How's The Josh? Another major reason the film captured national attention was Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman. You likely know who he is. If not, here's a quick recap. During the Balakot airstrike, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, piloting a MiG-21 Bison, found himself in a dogfight with Pakistani jets. His aircraft was shot down, and he was captured by Pakistani forces after safely ejecting across the LoC. His brief captivity had the nation glued to updates from across the border. Social media, television channels, and public discourse were all focused on just one thing - his safe return. During his time in custody, the Pakistani military released a (heavily edited) video, where Abhinandan mentioned " uuncha josh (high josh)". That was enough to spark yet another wave of emotion, as Indians and everyone else linked it directly to the catchphrase from Uri that had already become part of the national vocabulary: How's the Josh? You know the answer. President Kovind presents Vir Chakra to Wing Commander (now Group Captain) Varthaman Abhinandan. He showed conspicuous courage, demonstrated gallantry in the face of the enemy while disregarding personal safety and displayed exceptional sense of duty. — President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) November 22, 2021 The phrase became so iconic that even Prime Minister Narendra Modi used it during his 2019 general election campaigns and at the inauguration of the National Museum of Indian Cinema in Mumbai while addressing the film fraternity. The Josh is HIGH SIR !! Such an honour @PMOIndia 🙏🙏 — Yami Gautam Dhar (@yamigautam) January 19, 2019 It symbolised the resilience of the Indian Army - poised and fearless in captivity - and added another emotional layer to the film's appeal. Many Indians watched or re-watched Uri in theatres just to relive that patriotic fervour. The timing couldn't have been more perfect. Uri found a fresh lease of life in cinemas. And it wasn't just about Abhinandan or one film. It became about a nation rising to every challenge thrown its way. For many Indians, watching Uri wasn't just entertainment - it was a way to connect with the emotion of the moment, to relive a moment of pride, and to express solidarity with the forces. Since then, the genre of military-based films and series have witnessed a resurgence. Avrodh: The Siege Within (2020) based on the Uri surgical strikes, Operation Valentine (2024) on Balakot, Fighter (2024) on Pulwama and Balakot, and Ranneeti: Balakot & Beyond (2024) on Balakot are just a few titles that followed in Uri 's footsteps. These films and series tapped into a new wave of audience interest in real-life heroism and military strategy. But nothing stirred the josh quite like Uri. It remains a cult classic, an emotional landmark in modern Indian cinema, even though it has mixed reviews from critics. And now, with India's latest retaliation against Pakistan, Operation Sindoor, following the Pahalgam attack - who knows if we get a re-release of Uri. It's the season of re-releases after all, and Bollywood doesn't really have anything great in its arsenal at the moment.
India.com
28-04-2025
- Politics
- India.com
Russia-China To Investigate Pahalgam Attack? Why India May Not Agree To Pakistans Demand
Pahalgam Terror Attack: Days after the deadly Pahalgam terror attack, tensions have been escalating between India and Pakistan, with both nations downgrading their ties further. While India has alleged Pakistan's hand behind the Jammu and Kashmir terror attack, Islamabad has called for an international independent inquiry into the matter. India is yet to react to Pakistan's remark but China has said that it's closely monitoring the evolving situation. Pakistan's Investigation Call Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has called for an investigation team comprising experts from China or Russia, or from the Western nations, to probe India's claim of Pakistani role behind the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist attack. 'I think Russia or China, or even Western countries, can play a very, very positive role in this crisis, and they can even set up an investigation team that should be assigned this job to investigate whether India or Mr Modi (Prime Minister Narendra Modi) is lying or he is telling the truth,' said Asif. Will India Agree - Historical Stand? India has historically been against third-party mediation or interference in the Indo-Pakistan row. In fact, the Simla Agreement of 1972 also called for mutual solutions to any dispute between the two countries. "That the two countries are resolved to settle their differences by peaceful means through bilateral negotiations or by any other peaceful means mutually agreed upon between them. Pending the final settlement of any of the problems between the two countries, neither side shall unilaterally alter the situation and both shall prevent the organisation, assistance or encouragement of any acts detrimental to the maintenance of peaceful and harmonious relations," says the Simla Agreement. When in 2016, Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorists attacked the Pathankot Air Force base in Punjab, India even went to the extent of allowing a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) from Pakistan to visit the attack site and collect evidence regarding the attack. Therefore, India is unlikely to allow any third-party mediation this time as well. Why Third-Party Probe Call? The call for third-party mediation is also Pakistan's trick to delay any significant action by India and buy the time to de-escalate the tension. With an international investigation, Pakistan is also trying to come out clean of the mud. With the world nations supporting India against terrorism, Pakistan is finding itself isolated on the global stage with only two countries - Turkey and China supporting it. Pakistan's socio-economic condition is already fragile and it may not afford to enter a long-term war with India. Also, the Pakistani army is facing a credibility challenge as the public as well as opposition members continue to raise their fingers on its working mechanism and interference in the government.
