New Delhi: Hostile rhetoric from Indian officials persists, escalating regional war fears despite Pakistan’s repeated peace dialogue overtures aimed at resolving ongoing disputes.

In a recent declaration, India’s defense minister asserted the nation’s readiness to employ its naval power in response to any future Pakistani “aggression.”

This statement follows a period of intense conflict between the two nuclear powers, marking the most severe clashes witnessed in recent decades.

Following four days of combat this month involving fighter aircraft, missiles, drones, and artillery, culminating in a ceasefire, relations between Pakistan and India remain strained.

“Should Pakistan engage in any unethical or malevolent actions, it will encounter the full force and fury of the Indian Navy,” stated Defence Minister Rajnath Singh aboard the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, off the coast of Goa.

A Pakistani military spokesperson directed Reuters to a statement from May 12, which affirmed a “comprehensive and decisive” response to any threats against Pakistan’s sovereignty or violations of its territorial integrity.

The recent hostilities were triggered by an April 22 attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), resulting in the deaths of 26 individuals, predominantly tourists.

New Delhi has attributed the attack to Pakistan, without presenting substantiating evidence. Pakistan has refuted these accusations from India, advocating for an impartial investigation into the incident.

A ceasefire was enacted on May 10, and a senior Pakistani military official informed Reuters on Friday that both nations are nearing a reduction in troop deployments along their shared border to levels preceding the conflict.

The Indian Navy reported the deployment of its carrier battle group, submarines, and other aviation resources in the northern Arabian Sea within 96 hours of the April 22 attack.

Defense Minister Singh indicated that ‘Operation Sindoor’, India’s operation involving strikes against Pakistan, has been temporarily suspended but not concluded.

“We halted our military actions on our own terms. Our forces had barely begun to demonstrate their capabilities,” he commented.

Earlier in the month, Pakistan’s armed forces initiated a substantial retaliatory military operation, designated “Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos,” targeting numerous Indian military assets across several regions.

This military action was a response to unprovoked missile and drone strikes by India targeting civilians and military installations in various regions of Pakistan.

Pakistan successfully downed six Indian fighter jets, including three Rafales, along with numerous drones. After roughly 87 hours, the conflict between the two nuclear-armed nations concluded on May 10 with a ceasefire mediated by the United States.

According to ISPR, a total of 53 people, including 13 armed forces personnel and 40 civilians, were martyred in Indian strikes during the latest military confrontation.