INDIA-PAKISTAN TENSION - 2025.02.23 | SITUATION UPDATE

Despite no any ceasefire violations reported following both neighbors reached a ceasefire agreement, the situation remains volatile due to the unaddressed grievances such as the India’s Stance on Indus Water treaty. However, both nations face domestic pressures to assert strength, complicating deescalation efforts.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

• Indian Prime Minister reaffirmed that Pakistan will not get water from India's rivers, reiterating the continued suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty.
• Indian External affairs minister Dr. S Jaishankar pointed to the “extreme religious outlook” of Pakistan army Chief Asim Munir.
• Casualty Since 07.05.2025 :
  # India - 18 deaths, including 5 soldiers/ 46 injured;
  # Pakistan - 51 deaths, including 11 military personnel/ 121 injured, including 78 Pakistani armed forces
• Casualty as at 23.05.2025: Nill

1.  Indian Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi has delivered a strong message to Pakistan during his first public appearance following Operation Sindoor at a gathering in Bikaner, Rajasthan on 22.05.2025. He stated that "not blood, but sindoor (vermilion) flows through my veins" and cautioned that India's adversaries have witnessed the consequences when "sindoor turns into gunpowder."

2.  Pakistan will not get water from rivers over which India has rights, Indian Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi said on 22.05.2025

• "Pakistan will have to pay a heavy price for every terrorist attack ... Pakistan's army will pay it. Pakistan's economy will pay it," Mr. Modi said at a public event in the northwestern state of Rajasthan.

3.  Indian External Affairs Minister, Dr. S Jaishankar pointed to the “extreme religious outlook” of Pakistan army Chief Asim Munir on 22.05.2025.

• Dr. Jaishankar said "It was triggered by a very barbaric terrorist attack in the Indian Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir where 26 tourists were murdered in front of their families after ascertaining their faith".

4.  The all-party delegation of Members of Indian Parliament, led by Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde, met with Dr. Ali Rashid Al Nuami, Chairman of the Defence Affairs, Interior & Foreign Affairs Committee of the UAE Federal National Council, in Abu Dhabi. Both Parties have reaffirmed their commitment to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

5.  Third group of All Party delegation led by Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) Member of Parliament Mrs. Kanimozhi has departed from New Delhi, to convey’s strong resolve to fight terrorism in all its forms, as reported by the Indian State media on 22.05.2025. Reportedly, the delegation will visit Russia, Slovenia, Greece, Latvia and Spain.

6.  Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said that two major terrorist groups operating in Pakistan were “Indian proxies”, adding that Islamabad will present “complete evidence” to prove New Delhi’s involvement in the attack on a school bus in Balochistan’s Khuzdar district that killed three children and injured several others, As reported by Pakistani – based media on 22.05.2025.

7.  The Pakistani Senate is also holding discussion on the terrorist attack that took place on a school bus in Khuzdar on 21.05.2025. Participating in the debate, the Senators strongly condemned the incident. Especially, Mr. Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar stated that Indian proxies were behind the Khuzdar terror incident, and said the extremist policy pursued by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government poses a threat to peace and security of not only South Asia but the world at large.

8.  Pakistan has reaffirmed its support for Azerbaijan following India’s hostile actions against Baku for standing with Pakistan.

• In this connection, Pakistani Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan visited the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Islamabad and held a cordial meeting with Ambassador H.E. Khazar Farhadov.
• Mr. Abdul Aleem Khan also reaffirmed that Pakistan will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with Azerbaijan at every step. He condemned India’s cancellation of tourist visas and the launch of a one-sided negative propaganda campaign on social media against Azerbaijan.

HEADING ARTICLES

PM Narendra Modi's ‘not a single drop’ message to Pakistan on Indus Waters Treaty. (https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/pakistan-wont-get-single-drop-of-indias-water-pm-narendra-modi-on-suspension-of-indus-waters-treaty-101747901327827.html)

SUB NEWS ARTICLES

1.  President, PM hand over baton of Field Marshal to Syed Asim Munir. (https://radio.gov.pk/22-05-2025/president-pm-hand-over-baton-of-field-marshal-to-syed-asim-munir)

2.  Corps Commanders vow to defend Pakistan's sovereignty. (https://radio.gov.pk/22-05-2025/corps-commanders-vow-to-defend-pakistans-sovereignty)

3.  Pakistan, China, Afghanistan agree to prevent use of soil for terrorism. (https://www.radio.gov.pk/22-05-2025/dpm-terms-his-recent-visit-to-china-as-successful)

4.  Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri Visits Japan To Deepen Strategic Ties And Reaffirm Joint Stand Against Terrorism. (https://ddnews.gov.in/en/foreign-secretary-vikram-misri-visits-japan-to-deepen-strategic-ties-and-reaffirm-joint-stand-against-terrorism/)