Pakistan’s CJCSC General Sahir Shamshad Mirza has cautioned about the possibility of future escalation in tensions with India, even as both nations work towards reducing troop deployments after recent clashes.
Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue forum in Singapore, General Sahir Shamshad Mirza highlighted that the recent conflict, sparked by an attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir on April 22, had widened the scope of hostilities, involving attacks on mainland installations by both sides.
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Despite a ceasefire agreement brokered by the United States on May 10, General Sahir Shamshad Mirza warned that future conflicts might escalate more rapidly, leaving little room for international mediation. He stressed the importance of dialogue, adding that military solutions are not viable for resolving such disputes.
However, he expressed concern over the lack of robust communication channels between the two nations beyond a crisis hotline, emphasizing the need for stronger crisis management mechanisms.
General Sahir Shamshad Mirza also noted the absence of backchannel talks or plans to meet with his Indian counterpart, General Anil Chauhan, underscoring the ongoing stalemate in formal diplomatic engagements. While Pakistan remains open to dialogue, India has maintained that “talks and terror don’t go together,” signaling persistent challenges in fostering peace between the nuclear-armed neighbors.
