THE latest inflammatory remarks by India’s military brass about Pakistan mark a troubling departure from the professional restraint expected of senior defence officials. Gen Upendra Dwivedi’s labelling of Pakistan as an “epicentre of terrorism” and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s thinly veiled threats regarding Kashmir suggest a worrying politicisation of India’s armed forces. The timing is particularly awkward. Just as Western media uncovers India’s hand in assassination plots against Sikh activists in North America, and the Washington Post details a systematic campaign of extrajudicial killings on Pakistani soil, New Delhi’s military leadership launches into theatrical accusations. It is rather like a burglar crying theft while clutching a stolen wallet.

One can only describe these outbursts as attempts to deflect attention from India’s brutal oppression in occupied Kashmir. The defence minister’s claim that “Jammu and Kashmir is incomplete” without what he calls “PoK” not only dismisses UNSC resolutions but also reveals India’s expansionist mindset. Meanwhile, the presence of Kulbhushan Jadhav — a serving Indian military officer caught red-handed orchestrating terrorism within Pakistan — is proof of India’s deceit. As the Foreign Office notes, India must address its own documented involvement in orchestrating targeted assassinations before levelling accusations at others. The world response has been telling. Western nations, hesitant to criticise India, find themselves increasingly uncomfortable with New Delhi’s aggressive posturing and covert operations. The exposure of India’s transnational assassination programme has stripped away the veneer of respectability it cultivated. Such politically motivated statements from India’s military leadership not only undermine professional conduct but also pose a serious threat to regional stability. For the sake of peace in South Asia, India’s generals would do well to stay away from engaging in provocative rhetoric. The path to regional stability lies through dialogue and respect for international law, not dangerous sabre-rattling and unwarranted accusations.

Published in Dawn, January 17th, 2025