India likely to give military response to Pakistan's provocations
The United States intelligence community has told lawmakers that it apprehends increased tension between India and Pakistan and India and China with the possibility of a conflict between them.
As per to the past report, Pakistan has a long history of supporting anti-India terrorist groups but, under the leadership of Indian Premier Narendra Modi, India is more likely to respond with military force to perceived or real Pakistani provocations, than it was in the past, the threat assessment report said.
According to the report, the crises between India and Pakistan are of particular concern because of the risk of an escalatory cycle between two nuclear-armed states. India and Pakistan probably are inclined to reinforce the current calm in their relationship following both sides' renewal of a ceasefire along the Line of Control in early 2021.
It further said, 'Pakistan has a long history of supporting anti-India militant groups, and under the leadership of Premier Narendra Modi, India is more likely than in the past to respond with military force to perceived or real Pakistani provocations.'
The expanded military postures by both India and China along the disputed border elevate the risk of armed confrontation between two nuclear powers that might involve direct threats to US persons and interests, and calls for United States intervention. Previous standoffs have demonstrated that persistent low-level friction on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) has the potential to escalate swiftly, it said.