ISLAMABAD: Recent remarks by a senior Indian Army commander have reigniteddebates on military capabilities and deterrence between India and Pakistan,following the brief but intense conflict in May 2025. Lt General ManojKumar Katiyar, GOC-in-C of the Indian Army’s Western Command, declared thatPakistan “neither has the courage nor the capability to fight,” emphasizingIndia’s strategic dominance and operational readiness along the WesternFront. This statement, comes against the backdrop of lingering effects fromOperation Sindoor, a four-day military engagement that tested both sides’resolve and exposed vulnerabilities in aerial and conventional warfare.
The May 2025 crisis originated from a deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam,Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, which claimed numerous civilian lives andprompted India’s retaliatory strikes under Operation Sindoor starting May7. India targeted alleged terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan Kashmirusing precision missiles and drones, claiming to have eliminated over ahundred militants without hitting military sites. Pakistan respondedforcefully, launching Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, and both nations engagedin large-scale aerial battles involving more than 100 fighter jets, markingone of the most significant dogfights in recent history.
During the initial phase of the conflict, reports indicated India sufferedaerial losses, with admissions from Indian officials confirming somefighter jets were downed, though the exact number remains disputed.Pakistani claims of downing multiple Indian aircraft, including advancedRafale jets, were partially acknowledged by international sources,highlighting challenges for India’s air superiority, leading to aU.S.-brokered ceasefire on May 10.
Post-conflict assessments reveal a mixed picture of outcomes. WhilePakistan highlighted its defensive successes in the air, particularlythrough the use of Chinese-supplied systems, India emphasized its abilityto penetrate Pakistani airspace and degrade terrorist networks. Theconflict underscored evolving military doctrines, with both countriesrelying on stand-off weapons, drones, and cyber elements, avoiding fullground invasion due to nuclear risks. Analysts note that the brief warprovided valuable data on weapon performance and escalation thresholds.
Lt Gen Katiyar’s recent assertion appears to build on this narrative,projecting confidence in India’s preparedness for any future misadventure.In earlier statements throughout late 2025, he repeatedly describedPakistan as lacking the capacity for a full-fledged conventional war, whilewarning that proxy terror activities would invite stronger responses,including a potential “deadlier” Operation Sindoor 2.0. This rhetoricaligns with India’s post-conflict messaging, aimed at reinforcingdeterrence and internal morale.
From Pakistan’s perspective, such declarations are seen as attempts todeflect from acknowledged challenges during the May engagement. Theconflict exposed asymmetries in technology and resources, yet Pakistan’sair force demonstrated resilience, particularly in counter-air operations.Pakistani officials have maintained that the response inflicted significantcosts on India, preventing escalation into a broader war. The absence of adecisive victory for either side has fueled ongoing propaganda battles,with statements like Katiyar’s serving to shape public perception andregional power dynamics.
The broader implications extend to South Asian stability. The 2025 crisis,though short, raised global concerns over nuclear escalation between thetwo neighbors. International mediation, particularly from the UnitedStates, proved crucial in de-escalation, but analysts warn that unresolvedissues like Kashmir and cross-border terrorism could trigger futureincidents. Both militaries have since focused on modernization, with Indiaemphasizing integrated theater commands and Pakistan strengtheningalliances for advanced weaponry.
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In this context, Lt Gen Katiyar’s words highlight the psychologicaldimension of deterrence. By downplaying Pakistan’s resolve and capacity,the statement seeks to project unchallenged dominance, potentiallyinfluencing future crisis behavior. Yet, history shows that such rhetoricoften masks underlying vulnerabilities, as evidenced by the aerial setbacksIndia faced initially. The enduring rivalry demands cautious diplomacy toprevent miscalculation.
Ultimately, the statement reflects ongoing tensions rather than imminentconflict, serving as a reminder of the fragile peace maintained throughmutual deterrence and external pressure.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025India%E2%80%93Pakistanconflict
Tags: India, Pakistan, Operation Sindoor, Lt Gen Manoj Katiyar, WesternCommand
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