Pakistan’s envoy to Washington has corroborated that India and Pakistan, despite escalating border tensions and fatal clashes, have exchanged communication at the level of their National Security Councils (NSCs). Rizwan Saeed Sheikh made this revelation in an interview with CNN on Thursday, further stating that the onus of de-escalation now lies with New Delhi. His comment came as both countries blamed each other for conducting drone attacks, and Islamabad cautioned that retaliation appeared “increasingly certain.”
This explicit assurance of backchannel diplomacy between the nuclear-armed rivals is happening as more than 40 people have been killed in the first two days. The conflict escalated following an attack by militants in Kashmir on April 22, which India blamed on Pakistan. Islamabad rejected the accusations and called for an impartial probe.
NSC Channels Remain Open Despite Firefights
Rizwan Sheikh’s remarks indicate that channels of communication are not entirely severed. He said, “There have been contact at the level of NSCs,” although he did not go any further. Although this is a modest indication of diplomatic activity, it goes alongside bellicose language and combat on the ground.
Each blamed the other following reported drone strikes. Pakistani Defence Minister threatened return fire. Things escalated after 26 civilians lost their lives in an attack which India directly associated with Pakistan.
Rizwan Sheikh transferred the onus of peace to India. “Now the onus of de-escalation is on India,” he asserted, while taking a position that Pakistan holds the right to retaliate. He quoted intense domestic pressure on the government of Pakistan, cautioning restraint had its limits.
This reflects the broader mood across Pakistan, where citizens’ fury calls for an explanation for what is being seen as Indian aggression.
Global Powers Urge Dialogue, Warn of Nuclear Risk
The US and other countries have urged restraint. Washington, for instance, called on the two nations to maintain channels of communication open and initiate direct talks.
Both nations being nuclear-armed, experts say uncontrolled escalation can lead to disaster. Previous military confrontations between India and Pakistan have triggered concerns about a nuclear war. The threat hangs in the air again.
Fragile Deterrence Under Global Watch
This episode reveals the delicate equilibrium between open warfare and backchannel diplomacy. The NSC contact is an encouraging development. Without public-level talks and regional de-escalation, however, that channel could prove too slender to forestall all-out conflict.
The international community’s role has never been so important. The region is on the threshold of yet another great crisis.
