Cliff Notes
- Pakistan’s information minister asserted the country has “the upper hand” following recent clashes, attributing a “victory” to US intervention for a ceasefire.
- Despite Pakistan’s optimism about resolving the Kashmir conflict, India remains firm on discussing terrorism exclusively and has ruled out formal discussions since 2016.
- The fragile truce between the nuclear neighbours appears precarious, with India’s PM pledging to monitor Pakistan closely and maintain readiness for retaliation if necessary.
Pakistan claims it has ‘upper hand’ over India – but fragile truce could easily unravel
Pakistan has “the upper hand”, according to the country’s minister of information and broadcasting.
After last week’s intense clashes with India, Attaullah Tarar said they had scored a “victory as visible as daylight”.
He said Donald Trump had been “pivotal” in securing a ceasefire and he was hopeful the American leader could help bring together the two nuclear-armed neighbours to solve the enduring conflict in Kashmir.
“I think the US president made it abundantly clear that he would like to resolve issues, including Kashmir,” Mr Tarar said.
“So, let’s see how things unfold in the near future.”
But that may be very wishful thinking.
India has ruled out formal talks on Kashmir since 2016 and, in his first address to the nation since the clashes began last week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made clear terrorism was the only issue he wanted to discuss with Pakistan.
Mr Modi, who has been relatively muted since the truce was agreed, said Pakistan will have to get rid of its “terrorist infrastructure” if it wants to be “saved”.
There has been speculation that India’s strongman was annoyed that Mr Trump announced the truce first and has been under pressure domestically to look and act tougher on Pakistan.
In his first comments since that truce, Mr Modi said earlier on Monday that India has only “paused” its military action and will “retaliate on its own terms” to any terror attack.
“We will be monitoring every step of Pakistan,” he added in an address to the nation.
