Mon May 12 17:21:19 UTC 2025: ## India Vows Retaliation After Military Standoff with Pakistan
**New Delhi, India** – Following a week of intense military conflict with Pakistan, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared that India’s military action was only “paused,” not ended. In a national address Wednesday, Modi vowed retaliation “on its own terms” should future attacks occur. He explicitly stated that India would not differentiate between governments supporting terrorism and terrorist groups themselves.
The recent escalation, the most serious between the nuclear-armed neighbors since 1999, was triggered by a deadly April 22 attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that killed 26. India blamed Pakistan, a claim Pakistan denies. The ensuing military exchanges involved missile strikes by India targeting what it called “terrorist infrastructure” in Pakistan. Modi accused Pakistan of choosing to attack India instead of combating terrorism and asserted India would not tolerate nuclear blackmail.
The conflict resulted in an estimated 60 civilian casualties on both sides. While a ceasefire brokered with US involvement has temporarily eased tensions, Modi’s statement underscores the fragility of the peace. His government also took the unprecedented step of halting water flows to Pakistan under the Indus Waters Treaty, highlighting the deepening diplomatic rift. Pakistan’s Finance Minister has called for the treaty’s reinstatement.
Military commanders from both countries met Monday to discuss technical details aimed at preventing further escalation, focusing on avoiding miscalculations that could reignite hostilities. Although airports closed due to the fighting have reopened, both nations remain on high alert. While both sides claimed victory and restraint in their post-conflict briefings, the underlying tensions remain a significant cause for global concern.
First Piper 