Published Paper Details:

Abstract The Indo-Pak conflict depicts a case of deep mistrust due to historical and political events and cultural fallacies. Pakistan, which was created as a compromise to satisfy the two-nation theory, continues to be a threat to India's national interests. Not only this, but Bangladesh, which became independent in 1971, now also poses a threat to India with growing radicalism and alignment with Pakistan's military. In the last few decades, India has shifted its counterterrorism strategy from primarily defensive to more assertive. Military strikes against terrorist bases have become a new normal. This transformation was seen in India's surgical strikes across the Line of Control in 2016 and the Balakot airstrikes in 2019. India also intensified diplomatic efforts to isolate Pakistan globally by highlighting its alleged support for cross-border terrorism. At the same time, India accelerated its military modernization and self-reliance in defence production, increasing defense purchases and conducting advanced weapons and missile tests to enhance readiness and deterrence. However, in May 2025, South Asia witnessed a sharp escalation in the India-Pakistan rivalry following a deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam. India responded with Operation Sindoor to punish the culprits with a series of targeted strikes on nine terrorist locations across the Pakistan-administered territories. The crisis attracted international attention as Pakistan retaliated militarily and also issued nuclear threats. In a volatile and digitally charged landscape, major powers also intervened, taking one or the other side. This paper analyses the recent developments in the Indo-Pak conflict in May 2025, the involvement of external actors including China, Turkey, and the U.S., the domestic political discourse in India, and the change in India's strategic posture.