India more likely to respond with military force under PM Modi if provoked by Pakistan: US intel report
India is more likely to respond with military force to any provocations from Pakistan and/or China under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a report by the American intelligence community has noted.
In their annual threat assessment submitted to the US Congress by the Office of Director of National Intelligence during a Congressional hearing, the US intelligence community on Wednesday said that it apprehends increased tension between India and Pakistan and India and China with the possibility of a conflict between them.
According to the intel report, despite recent bilateral talks and resolved border issues, India-China ties will continue to remain strained due to the recent lethal border clash in 2020. It noted that expanded military postures by both India and China along the disputed border elevate the risk of armed confrontation between two nuclear powers that might involve direct threats to US persons and interests, and calls for US intervention.
Previous standoffs have demonstrated that persistent low-level friction on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) has the potential to escalate swiftly, it said.
The report noted that India-Pakistan crisis is of particular concern because of the risk of the high risk of escalation between the two nuclear-armed nations. It said that both New Delhi and Islamabad probably are inclined to reinforce the current calm in their relationship following both sides’ renewal of a ceasefire along the Line of Control in early 2021.
The report, however, pointed out that Pakistan has a long history of supporting anti-India militant groups, and under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is more likely than in the past to respond with military force to perceived or real Pakistani provocations, adding that each side’s perception of heightened tensions raises the risk of conflict, with violent unrest in Kashmir or a militant attack in India being potential flashpoints.
US State Department Spokesperson Ned Price said US-Pakistan counter-terrorism dialogue provides an ‘opportunity for the United States to convey our willingness to work with Pakistan’ to address terrorist threats and counter violent extremism, the threats that are in the region, the threats that have the potential to transcend the region as well.
Price said the US and Pakistan have a shared interest in combating threats to regional security.
He stressed that the goal of a stable and secure South and Central Asia free from terrorism depends on the strength of in large part US partnership with Pakistan… “the dialogue is a testament to our shared commitment to a resilient security relationship and an opportunity for candid discussion on steps we can take together to counter all terrorist groups that threaten regional and global stability.”
Price said that the United States seeks to expand this partnership to address these challenges any group that threatens regional and global stability is America’s concern.
Air India cabin crew caught smuggling 1.5 kg gold at Kochi airport, arrested
