Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi appears to be laying the groundwork for potential military action against neighboring Pakistan, The New York Times reported.
Citing Indian officials, the NYT noted that Modi has spoken with more than a dozen world leaders, while diplomats from around 100 foreign missions in New Delhi have been summoned to the foreign ministry for briefings.
In a speech on Thursday, Modi pledged harsh retaliation and the dismantling of terror networks, further heightening tensions, according to the report.
The situation remains volatile, with both sides reportedly exchanging intermittent small-arms fire across the border, NYT said.
The report also highlighted a surge in anti-Muslim sentiment across India, particularly impacting Kashmiri students studying in other cities, many of whom are facing harassment and pressure to return home.
In Kashmir, Indian forces have launched a sweeping crackdown, detaining hundreds of individuals in a hunt for those behind the recent attacks.
During briefings to foreign diplomats, Indian officials emphasized Pakistan’s alleged history of supporting militant groups targeting India. They referenced ongoing investigations and claimed to have technical intelligence—including facial recognition data—linking the attackers to Pakistan.
Analysts and diplomats cited in the report suggested two possible interpretations: India may be biding its time to gather sufficient evidence before acting against Pakistan, or it may feel emboldened by the global political climate to move forward without seeking broader justification.
The Trump administration has expressed strong backing for India’s counterterrorism efforts, according to the report. Although President Trump has claimed friendly relations with both India and Pakistan, he acknowledged their deep-seated hostilities.
However, the NYT pointed out that Washington’s involvement remains uncertain. Three months into his term, President Trump had yet to appoint an ambassador to India, reflecting the relatively low priority South Asia held in his early foreign policy agenda.
The report concluded that even if external powers, including the United States, attempted to intervene, their influence over the longstanding India-Pakistan conflict—particularly the Kashmir dispute—would likely be minimal, given New Delhi’s firm stance that it is strictly a bilateral issue.
