Having paused militarily, India would be keen to intensify its non-kinetic punitive actions against Islamabad, observes Sameer Patil, Director, Centre for Security, Strategy and Technology, at Observer Research Foundation (ORF).

Increasing Western military support to India, and China’s to Pakistan, signals a shift in global alignments — and another potential flashpoint for international tensions.

Pakistan is China’s “iron brother,” but full support is a bridge too far when Beijing would much prefer de-escalation to an expanded conflict.