‘Letting roots of Pak-India conflict fester invites more danger’

Former Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee chairman Gen Zubair Mahmood Hayat has cautioned that failing to tackle the fundamental disputes fueling conflicts between Pakistan and India could result in more perilous confrontations in the future. At the conclusion of the second Islamabad Non-Proliferation Conference, Hayat argued that resolving a crisis without addressing its underlying causes only sets the stage for the next, more dangerous conflict.

He emphasized that the core issue of Jammu and Kashmir cannot be ignored or relegated to an administrative matter in the region. Hayat also stressed the significance of the Indus Waters Treaty, stressing that water should not be transformed into a tool of power and pressure. He cautioned that ongoing crises between the nuclear-armed neighbors could escalate if unresolved disputes, dwindling restraint, and the lack of sustained political dialogue continue to threaten regional security.

Referring to the May 2025 conflict, Hayat highlighted that Pakistan had showcased its military capabilities and political authority through a measured response, preventing India from claiming a unilateral fait accompli without engaging in an all-out war. He concluded by stating that there is no proven and guaranteed safe space for war between nuclear-armed neighbors, warning that future crises would involve different leaders, new technologies, and shorter decision-making timelines, thereby increasing the risk of miscalculation.

Hayat further pointed out that South Asia lacks an inclusive regional security framework, effective crisis-management mechanisms, and ongoing political dialogue. He warned that unverified allegations could precipitate conflict before the facts were verified, with future confrontations potentially arising from accidents rather than deliberate state decisions. He provided the ongoing Operation Sindoor as an example.