IN a world awash with violence, where the old geopolitical rules of the game are being rapidly rewritten, there is a need for states to display maturity and rational behaviour in statecraft. This is all the more true in troubled regions such as South Asia, which have been witnessing friction for decades, and where nuclear weapons are part of the equation.

Addressing a workshop in Islamabad recently, adviser to the National Command Authority and former head of the Strategic Plans Division retired Lt-Gen Mazhar Jamil highlighted the shrinking space for diplomacy in South Asia. He added that the erosion of arms control frameworks and reliance on hard power were creating “new challenges to strategic stability in South Asia”. While criticising India’s “military adventurism and hegemonic approaches”, the official made a crucial observation: there was no space for war between two nuclear states.

This should be clear to any level-headed individual. However, high-level officials in the Indian military, as well as the political elite, have — particularly since last year’s hostilities — been making increasingly jingoistic statements directed at Pakistan. In May, the Indian army chief — who has since retired — hurled unacceptable threats at this country, which were described by ISPR as “hubristic”. Indian political leaders have been making similarly unhinged comments. While such language may attract a few votes and please extremist lobbies within India, it does lasting damage to the cause of peace in South Asia, especially at a time when both nations have only recently emerged from a dangerous encounter that could have spiralled into all-out war.

War in a nuclear neighbourhood is not an option. Pakistani officials have reiterated this, and there is a need for similar rational behaviour from responsible military and civilian actors in India. There is huge bilateral mistrust at the moment. Yet to prevent a catastrophe in the subcontinent, both sides, particularly India, need to restart the dialogue process. This can begin with small steps, such as regular contact between military officials from both sides to ensure misunderstandings do not escalate into something larger. In parallel, diplomatic contacts and Track II efforts need to be resumed. While it is difficult to foresee peace in the immediate future, such steps can at least help in conflict management, while ensuring that the channels of communication are kept open. But perhaps the biggest need is for Indian officials to stop their inflammatory rhetoric against Pakistan, which is even more irresponsible at a time when the flames of war are burning not too far from South Asia. Hopefully, restraint and sustained dialogue can lead to bilateral trust and peace between Pakistan and India.

Published in Dawn, September 21st, 2026