BBC

For slightly less than two decades Indian policymakers have refrained from militarily responding to what it has called Pakistan-based militant attacks on Indian soil.

However, even though each attack was met with domestic outrage, in the end India’s leadership, regardless of political ideology, eschewed any military response.

At best, according to knowledgeable journalists, they permitted some cross border artillery barrages.

The standard justification for inaction was the apparent risk of escalation, culminating in a nuclear exchange.

‘Strategic restraint’

Some political commentators in India sought to put a suitable gloss on this policy of inaction by referring to it as “strategic restraint”.

This week however, the Narendra Modi government departed from past precedent.

Continue reading, “Viewpoint: Border ‘Strikes’ Will Not Trigger an India-Pakistan War”