Asif Ali Zardari claims India ‘preparing for another war’ months after Pahalgam attack; calls for talks with New Delhi

Months after a brief but intense military confrontation between India and Pakistan following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack, Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari has claimed that New Delhi is “preparing for another war.”

Addressing a joint sitting of Parliament amid opposition protests, Zardari alleged that India was gearing up for renewed hostilities but simultaneously called for dialogue.

“My message to them (India) is to move away from the war theatre to meaningful negotiation tables, because that is the only path for regional security,” he reportedly said.

Background: Operation Sindoor and the 2025 standoff

India and Pakistan were locked in a four-day military standoff in May 2025 after New Delhi launched strikes under Operation Sindoor, targeting alleged terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

The operation followed the April 22, 2025 Pahalgam terror attack, in which 26 tourists were killed. The Indian government blamed The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), for orchestrating the attack.

In response to India’s strikes, Pakistan carried out drone operations, prompting India to impose blackouts along the Line of Control and the International Border as tensions escalated sharply.

Pakistan’s remarks on Afghanistan

Zardari also addressed rising tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, urging Kabul to engage in talks while accusing it of being used as a proxy against Islamabad.

“Stop being used by another country as a battlefield for their ambitions,” he said, according to reports, reiterating claims that Afghanistan was acting at India’s behest.

India has repeatedly denied any role in Afghanistan’s internal affairs. During the 2025 clashes, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal rejected Pakistan’s allegations.

“Three things are clear. One, Pakistan hosts terrorist organisations and sponsors terrorist activities. Two, it is an old practice of Pakistan to blame its neighbours for its own internal failures. Three, Pakistan is infuriated with Afghanistan exercising sovereignty over its own territories,” Jaiswal said.

Following renewed Pakistani strikes on Afghan territory last month, India condemned the action, particularly as it occurred during the holy month of Ramadan.

“India strongly condemns Pakistan’s airstrikes on Afghan territory that have resulted in civilian casualties, including women and children, during the holy month of Ramadan. It is another attempt by Pakistan to externalise its internal failures,” Jaiswal said at a weekly press briefing.