Religious Sentiment Influences Military Clashes Between India and Pakistan

Recent military encounters between India and Pakistan have underscored the influence of religious sentiment in tensions. Public reactions in Pakistan have led the government to increase military responses following Indian airstrikes. Meanwhile, international calls for peace are mixed with concerns over escalating conflict, influenced by the use of drones and media crackdowns.

In recent military clashes between India and Pakistan, religion emerged as a significant influence. Analysts highlighted the impact of public sentiment in Pakistan, which affected the government’s decisions regarding retaliation following an Indian airstrike in early May. Many citizens showed support for military actions, especially against a nation perceived to mistreat its Muslim minority. Islamabad even urged residents to join civil defense brigades amid escalating tensions.

International relations played a role, too. The United States and China both called for a diplomatic resolution, although it was unclear who would take the lead on these initiatives. Secretary of State Marco Rubio had discussions with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and India’s Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar, emphasizing the need to halt ongoing conflicts. “At this moment in time, there is one thing that has to stop which is a back-and-forth and a continuation, and that is what we are focused on right now,” stated State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce on May 8.

Countries interested in maintaining peace in South Asia were also involved. Saudi Arabia’s Adel al-Jubeir visited Jaishankar in Delhi, while he also met with Iranian Foreign Minister Syed Abbas Aragchi. Meanwhile, Modi’s government aimed to shape the conflict’s narrative around religion, with their operation against Pakistan termed “Sindoor,” a traditional vermilion associated with Hindu brides. This reference drew attention to the ongoing violence in Kashmir, where many have lost their lives amidst fighting.

Concerns arose when Pravin Sawhney, an Indian defense publication editor, criticized the operation’s religious framing, warning it could jeopardize military unity. “A political message was sent to the people of India, that Hindus were killed in Kashmir, so we have to take revenge,” he asserted, cautioning against the politicization of secular military operations.

On the media front, tensions escalated as the Indian newspaper The Hindu deleted a social media post claiming three Indian jets had been shot down. This incident fueled worries of a broader media crackdown by the Modi administration. The Global Government Affairs team reported receiving orders from the Indian government to block over 8,000 accounts on a social media platform, raising significant concerns about freedom of speech.

People in Kashmir felt the impacts of the conflict keenly, expressing frustration and fatigue. According to reports, residents from both sides of the Line of Control described the recent shelling as among the worst they had experienced in decades. Anupreeta Das and Salman Masood from The New York Times interviewed locals who lamented, “We are fed up with running every time the shelling begins. It’s better that both countries go for nuclear war and kill us all. At least that will rid us of this suffering.” This kind of sentiment highlights the unbearable stress civilians face in the ongoing territorial disputes.

India’s actions have also aggravated local tensions, especially regarding demolition campaigns against homes believed to belong to dissidents. Furthermore, the Indian government is trying to bolster Hindu demographics in contested Kashmir areas, indicating a controversial approach to managing the region’s population. On May 10, after claims of Pakistani drones entering Indian airspace, the Pakistani military accused India of launching missile strikes that targeted multiple Pakistani air bases, including a significant facility near Islamabad.

Both nations have made strides in developing their own drone capabilities over the years. Following a series of incursions, Indian defense officials reported on attempts by Pakistani drones to probe their air defenses. While neither country possesses drones capable of carrying nuclear warheads, experts like James Patton Rogers emphasize the concerning nature of drone warfare as an escalatory tactic. He noted, “Although many countries now have drones in their arsenals, this is the first time the unmanned aerial vehicles were used by the two countries against each other.”

Such developments in drone technology might reshape global perspectives on the India-Pakistan conflict, reminiscent of how their nuclear capabilities once altered the international landscape. As both nations edge into a new phase of military engagement, the global community watches closely, hoping for a peaceful resolution.

In summary, the recent military engagements between India and Pakistan highlight the intertwined roles of religion and public sentiment in shaping governmental responses. The international community’s calls for diplomacy contrast sharply with escalating tensions on the ground. The introduction of drones into conflict escalates fears of a new chapter in military strategy, with potentially severe implications not just for both countries but the broader region as well. Ultimately, the focus seemingly shifts to how these dynamics will influence relationships in South Asia moving forward.

Original Source: tribune.com.pk