US think tank issues major warning, India-Pakistan may face war-like situation again in 2026
New Delhi/Washington (The Uttam Hindu): A leading American think tank, the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), has raised serious concerns about South Asia in its latest report. The report warns that a military confrontation between India and Pakistan could emerge again in 2026. According to CFR, the primary reason for rising tensions between the two countries could be an increase in cross-border terrorist activities.
The report is based on a survey of experts on US foreign policy. It states that the Trump administration has attempted to address ongoing conflicts in several sensitive regions across the world. These include tensions between India and Pakistan, as well as conflicts in Ukraine, the Gaza Strip, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Cambodia-Thailand.
CFR’s report also refers to the limited but intense military confrontation between India and Pakistan in May. The clash began after a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians. The attack was attributed to Pakistan-backed terrorists. In response, India launched Operation Sindoor on the night of May 6, targeting terrorist infrastructure inside Pakistan.
According to the report, more than 100 terrorists were killed during the operation and nine terror camps were completely destroyed. Between May 7 and May 10, Pakistan attempted to target Indian military and civilian installations using drones, but all such attempts were successfully thwarted by Indian forces. India’s strong retaliation forced Pakistan to step back. Eventually, on May 10, Pakistan’s Director General of Military Operations contacted his Indian counterpart, and both sides agreed to halt firing and military activities along the Line of Control.
The CFR report is not limited to India-Pakistan relations alone. It also expresses concern over a potential conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan. According to the assessment, border tensions between the two countries escalated in October this year. Pakistan carried out an airstrike on Kabul targeting Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) chief Noor Wali Mehsud, following which Afghanistan responded sharply.
The think tank believes that if terrorist attacks continue at the current pace, a limited military confrontation between Pakistan and Afghanistan could also take place in 2026. The report clearly states that terrorism remains a central factor behind regional instability and could escalate into larger conflicts in the coming years.