The recent clash between Pakistan and India wasn’t just about missiles or borders, it was a bigger test. It showed the world how far military technology has come and how dangerous it is when powerful countries use smaller regions as testing grounds. India brought in French Rafale jets, backed by Western tech and support. Pakistan responded with Chinese J-10Cs, flown by experienced PAF pilots using local systems. The outcome? Pakistani jets reportedly shot down multiple Rafales. Soon after, Western countries started pressuring Pakistan to back off. Was it a coincidence? Probably not.
Pakistan made the first move toward peace, and India followed. But while both sides talked peace, the skies above South Asia became a lab, and the people living below became unspoken victims. This conflict wasn’t about land, it was about showing off power and selling weapons. Superpowers watched from afar as if it were a video game, while real people paid the price.
What stood out was the courage of Pakistan’s pilots. Technology helps, but it’s human spirit that makes the real difference. Their bravery showed that conviction can’t be imported, it comes from within. At the same time, India shut down thousands of online accounts, including media outlets like the BBC, to control the story. Pakistan, in contrast, showed proof and spoke openly. Still, Pakistan must fix its own problems too, like silencing voices and political repression, if it wants to claim the moral high ground.
In the end, it wasn’t just a fight of weapons. It was a test of wisdom, restraint and dignity. Pakistan responded with care, targeting only military sites. India’s response felt loud but unclear. The world noticed who stayed composed under pressure.
South Asia must stop being a playground for foreign agendas. Real independence means thinking for ourselves and refusing to be used.
Faisal I Siddiqi
Mississauga, Canada
