In May 2025, India and Pakistan experienced one of their most intense military confrontations in recent history, following a terrorist attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that killed 26 people. India responded with airstrikes targeting what it described as terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan.
Pakistan claimed to have shot down several Indian aircraft during the ensuing conflict, including advanced Rafale jets.
At the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, India’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Anil Chauhan, addressed these claims. He emphasized that while tactical errors may have occurred, they have been identified and corrected.
General Chauhan highlighted the evolving nature of modern warfare, describing it as networked and deceptive, and stressed the importance of indigenous capabilities and strategic autonomy.
The conflict, which lasted from May 7 to May 10, saw both nations engaging in aerial combat and missile strikes. India reported successful precision strikes deep into Pakistani territory, while Pakistan asserted it had downed multiple Indian jets. Despite the intensity of the confrontation, both sides avoided crossing the nuclear threshold.
Following the ceasefire, efforts have been made to de-escalate tensions, including troop reductions along the border. However, the lack of structured crisis management mechanisms and minimal communication links between the two countries remain critical vulnerabilities.
The events of May 2025 underscore the fragile nature of peace in the region and the need for robust dialogue and confidence-building measures to prevent future escalations.
