India prepared to retaliate if provoked, Doval tells global counterparts

New Delhi: India has no intention of escalating tensions with Pakistan but is fully prepared to respond resolutely if provoked, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval told his counterparts from several key nations on Wednesday, officials said.

Doval briefed NSAs from the US, the UK, Saudi Arabia, Japan and the UAE about India’s recent missile strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), conducted under Operation Sindoor. Officials added that contact was also established with Russia and France.

During the briefings, Doval outlined the planning and execution of the operation, describing it as “measured, non-escalative and restrained.” He reiterated India’s position that while it does not seek an escalation, it will not hesitate to retaliate if Pakistan chooses to escalate the situation.

Among the leaders Doval spoke to were US NSA and Foreign Minister Marco Rubio, UK’s Jonathan Powell, Saudi Arabia’s Musaid Al Aiban, UAE’s Sheikh Tahnoon and Japan’s Masataka Okano.