‘War may not be limited when 2 nuclear powers at loggerheads’

Islamabad:Abdul Basit, former High Commissioner to India, has emphasised that regional connectivity cannot be realised unless conflicting bilateral issues, especially those with India, are addressed.

Mr Basit was speaking at “Regional Dialogue 2025” hosted here by Institute of Regional Studies (IRS), Mr Basit called for a thorough and honest analysis of Indian strategic thinking to help create realistic and forward-looking policy responses. Highlighting the Kashmir dispute, he warned that the issue is becoming increasingly complex and continues to threaten regional peace and stability.

Former Defence Minister Khurram Dastgir warned about potential escalation at a time when two nuclear powers engaged in a military conflict following the tragic event of Pahalgam. War may not be limited when two nuclear powers are at loggerheads, he opined.

journalist Arifa Noor noted that Pakistan’s approach towards India had often been tactical rather than strategic. She argued that India’s anti-Pakistan rhetoric is rooted in broader anti-Muslim narratives. She also criticised Pakistan’s media for failing to create space for active foreign policy debates and for not engaging Indian critics of the Modi govt, which weakens Pakistan's counter-narrative.

Javed Jabbar, a former Information Minister, emphasised the role of the Indian military in shaping New Delhi’s foreign policy. He warned that “no diplomatic overture or troop movement occurs without military approval.” Defending Track-II diplomacy, he stated that it is not a betrayal, it is a patriotic platform where dedicated nationalists engage to prevent conflict and preserve dialogue. However, he also asserted that the virus of Hindutva infected the Indian psyche, and even if the Congress Party were to win, he believed there would not be much change. Hamid Mir, senior anchor-person, rejected the approach of Track-II diplomacy with India calling it a deceptive strategy. He argued that Pakistan's survival, rather than just the issue of Kashmir, is central to India's long-term strategic posture which he linked to the ideological pursuit of Akhand Bharat.