India has more to lose if another war erupts with Pakistan: NYT editorial

The paper's editorial board stresses the need for restraint in the wake of escalating cross-border tensions

India has more to lose than Pakistan if the two nuclear-armed neighbours go to war once again, The New York Times editorial board wrote on Wednesday.

“India, which is considerably stronger and more successful than Pakistan, has the most to lose if another war erupts,” the editorial read.

The paper recognising Kashmir as "a dangerous flash point" between India and Pakistan stressed the need for restraint in the wake of escalating cross-border tensions as both countries continue to exchange fire along the Line of Control (LoC).

Read: Escalating violence: UNSG urges Pakistan, India to resolve issues via dialogue

“Cross-border violence has surged in recent months, raising new fears that the attacks could spiral out of control and set off another war between the two nuclear-armed adversaries,” the editorial read.

In the last week alone, Pakistan and India have traded heavy gunfire and mortars almost daily across the LoC. Pakistan on Monday summoned the Indian deputy high commissioner to the Foreign Office for the third time in a week to convey Islamabad’s deep concerns over unabated ceasefire violations by Indian troops along the LoC that divides the disputed Himalayan state of Jammu and Kashmir.

“Each side blames the other. Experts say Pakistan has been testing Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who, in a break with his predecessor, has vowed not to ignore attacks by Pakistan-backed militants on Indian targets. On July 27, gunmen dressed in military fatigues attacked an Indian police station near the border with Pakistan and at least nine people were killed,” it added. India blamed Pakistan for involvement in the attack, a claim Pakistan vehemently denied.

Read: Modi urges unity against 'terror-harbouring states' in veiled jibe at Pakistan

“Mr Modi’s wish to strike back is understandable after many years of Indian restraint. But In a sign of heightened concern over Kashmir, the United States and the United Nations secretary general, Ban Ki-moon, have urged India and Pakistan to exercise restraint and solve their differences through dialogue,” the editorial said.

However, it added both the countries will have a chance to resolve their differences through dialogue when national security advisers of Pakistan and India meet this month on August 23.

Read: No ‘formal agenda’ for NSA talks in Delhi

A meeting between national security advisers of both countries is taking place in line with a decision taken at a meeting between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi in the Russia city of Ufa last month.

The Express Tribune learnt there will be no ‘formal agenda’ for the upcoming meeting between the national security advisers of Pakistan and India after the two hostile neighbours apparently could not agree on specific issues for discussion.