India and Pakistan: "If the Other Halts Provocations, We Will Also Stop"

International Community Steps Up Mediation Efforts

Amid growing concerns that the military conflict between India and Pakistan?both considered de facto nuclear powers?could escalate into a full-scale war, attention is focused on the fact that both countries have expressed their willingness to halt hostilities if the other side does the same.

According to local media such as the Times of India on May 10 (local time), the Indian Ministry of Defense stated at a briefing that "Pakistani forces have been observed moving troops to forward areas, which is seen as an aggressive move intended to further heighten tensions."

The Indian Ministry of Defense further emphasized, "The Indian military is maintaining a high level of operational readiness, and all hostile acts have been effectively countered," adding, "The Indian military will cease escalation if the Pakistani side reciprocates."

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also said in a local TV interview on the same day, "If India has even a shred of sanity, it will halt military actions, and if India stops, we will stop as well," stressing, "We genuinely desire peace." Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif also stated in a local TV interview that no meeting of the National Command Authority?the top military and civilian body overseeing nuclear weapons?has been scheduled.

Meanwhile, India and Pakistan have continued military clashes for the first time in six years, following a shooting attack last month in Indian-administered Kashmir that killed 26 tourists. Efforts by the international community to mediate are also ongoing. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he had spoken with both India and Pakistan, stating, "The United States will support efforts to find ways to de-escalate tensions and to initiate constructive dialogue to prevent future conflicts." In addition, the foreign ministers of the Group of Seven (G7) issued a joint statement urging both countries to exercise "maximum restraint" and called for immediate de-escalation and direct talks for peace.