Narendra Modi govt more likely to respond to Pakistan's provocation: US report

India is more likely to respond to perceived or real Pakistani provocations with military force under Narendra Modi’s leadership as it was under previous regimes, said the 2022 Annual Threat Assessment by the US.

New Delhi: India is more likely to respond to perceived or real Pakistani provocations with military force under Narendra Modi’s leadership as it was under previous regimes, said the 2022 Annual Threat Assessment of the US Intelligence Community as per IANS.

According to the assessment, issues between India and Pakistan are of particular concern because of the risk -- however low -- of an escalation between two nuclear-armed states.

The report also observed that Pakistan has a long history of pampering anti-India sentiments and forces.

Each side`s perception of heightened tensions raises the risk of conflict, with violent unrest in Kashmir or a militant attack in India being potential flashpoints.

What does the report say about India-China conflict?

In China, the report said relations between New Delhi and Beijing will remain strained in the wake of the lethal clash in 2020 over the Galwan Valley dispute, which was the most serious in decades.

"We assess that the expanded military postures by both India and China along the disputed border elevate the risk of armed confrontation between the two nuclear powers that might involve direct threats to US persons and interests and calls for the US intervention," it said.

Previous standoffs have demonstrated that persistent low-level friction on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) has the potential to escalate swiftly.

This report will be provided to the congressional intelligence committees as well as the committees on the Armed Services of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

(With inputs from IANS)