Retired Pakistani General Warns Unresolved Disputes Could Spark Deadlier India Conflict

At the closing session of the Islamabad Non-Proliferation Conference organized by the Strategic Vision Institute, retired Gen. Zubair Mahmood Hayat warned that resolving a crisis without addressing its underlying causes merely prepares the ground for a more dangerous next conflict between the nuclear-armed neighbours. He argued that the Kashmir dispute and the halted Indus Waters Treaty are fundamental issues that cannot be reduced to bureaucratic fixes.

Hayat pointed to the May 2025 confrontation, where Pakistan’s measured response prevented an Indian unilateral move without escalating to full-scale war, as evidence that even limited clashes carry high risk. He stressed that the region lacks an inclusive security framework and effective crisis-management mechanisms, leaving it vulnerable to miscalculations driven by emerging technologies and faster decision-making. The retired general also warned that rumors or unverified claims could trigger accidental hostilities, referencing the ongoing Operation Sindoor as a potential flashpoint. He concluded that without sustained political dialogue, South Asia will continue to oscillate between deterrence and recurring danger.