Terms of engagement

New red lines have been drawn for Pakistan

- 

India and Pakistan on Saturday reached an agreement and initiated a ceasefire. Although Pakistan is reported to have violated the terms on Saturday night itself, the situation can be expected to stabilise, facilitating the return of civilians in border areas. The leadership of both countries must be commended for having reached an agreement. A prolonged conflict would not have helped either side. Nevertheless, as both sides return to the drawing board to assess the situation, it is worth noting that much has changed since the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist attack, in which 26 persons, including a Nepali national, were killed. India has made it clear that it is unwilling to tolerate such acts. In its response, India used both kinetic and non-kinetic measures. Besides diplomatic measures, India decided to put the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance. India's military response on May 7 was targeted, measured, and non-escalatory in nature. It struck terrorist infrastructure at nine locations. It neither damaged military assets nor targeted civilians.