Nuclear jingoism
⟶ During Operation Marka-i-Haq in May 2025, India launched BrahMos cruise missiles with conventional payloads. This action occurred despite the potential for misinterpretation by Pakistani air defense systems, raising concerns about escalating regional tensions.
INDIA’S nuclear jingoism was on ample display during Operation Marka-i-Haq in May 2025 when it fired dual-use BrahMos cruise missiles with conventional payload, unmindful of the fact that the dangerous caper could have been misconstrued by Pakistani air defen…
Background
India and Pakistan are nuclear-armed neighbors with a history of strained relations and military standoffs. The BrahMos missile is a supersonic cruise missile that can be armed with either conventional or nuclear warheads, making its deployment a sensitive issue. Operation Marka-i-Haq was a military exercise conducted by India. The specific details regarding the exact location and the full scope of the operation are not provided.
Why it matters
The use of dual-use missiles, even with conventional payloads, carries inherent risks in a region with existing geopolitical friction. Such actions can be perceived as provocative and may destabilize the delicate balance of deterrence between the two nuclear-armed nations.
Possible impact
This incident could heighten existing mistrust between India and Pakistan, potentially leading to increased military preparedness on both sides. The miscalculation of such a deployment could inadvertently escalate a conventional conflict into a nuclear one, with devastating consequences for the region and the world.