LONDON: Lieutenant General (Retired) Mazhar Jamil, an adviser to Pakistan’s National Command Authority, has warned that India’s Hindutva-driven politics, expansionist ambitions and growing military capabilities are contributing to instability in South Asia.
Speaking at a seminar organised by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) in London, Jamil discussed regional security challenges and described India’s pursuit of regional dominance as a major concern for strategic stability.
Jamil questioned India’s declared nuclear no-first-use policy and expressed concerns over its expanding missile programme and weapons systems with dual conventional and nuclear capabilities.
He argued that India’s military posture and rapid expansion of nuclear capabilities could increase the risk of confrontation between the two nuclear-armed neighbours, further complicating the security environment in South Asia.
Referring to the May 2025 military crisis between Pakistan and India, Jamil said Indian aggression had brought the region close to the brink of nuclear catastrophe. He maintained that Pakistan had responded effectively and subsequently exercised restraint to prevent further escalation.
He described Pakistan’s nuclear capabilities and full-spectrum deterrence policy as key elements in maintaining the strategic balance, adding that any act of aggression against Pakistan would carry serious consequences.
Jamil also criticised India for failing to resolve the Kashmir dispute through political dialogue, arguing that the issue should be settled in accordance with relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.
He stressed that lasting peace in South Asia would require restraint, meaningful negotiations and a political settlement of outstanding disputes. His remarks reflected Pakistan’s concerns over India’s military policies and regional ambitions, as tensions between the two nuclear-armed countries continue to pose challenges to regional security.