India strongly criticized Pakistan’s rehearsing a ballistic missile test as a “reckless act of provocation” that can destabilize the region. The criticism comes soon after the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 individuals—primarily Hindus—in a coordinated attack.
New Delhi government authorities have raised significant alarm at what they perceive to be a pattern of belligerent Pakistani behavior, ranging from recent violations of the ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) to heightened military activity in the Arabian Sea. The forthcoming test of a missile is seen as an extension of this aggressive posture.
In response to the Pahalgam episode, India has already taken various measures, ranging from suspending the Indus Waters Treaty and shutting down the Attari-Wagah border crossing. Government officials think Pakistan’s missile exercise is an exercise in diversion intended to shift world attention away from its supposed support for cross-border terrorism.
Indian military forces have been put on high alert with complete operational latitude given to the commanders to firmly react to any further aggressions.
As the tensions escalate, the global community is calling on the two nuclear powers to be restrained and go back onto the path of negotiation to prevent further escalation.
