The death toll from one of the deadliest strikes on Indian security forces in Kashmir history has continued to rise, and so too the pressure on Narendra Modi’s government to retaliate. Modi was elected prime minister in 2014 promising to toughen India’s stance against Pakistan and its alleged sponsorship of militancy in the Kashmir valley. But analysts say that tough rhetoric aside, the range of possible Indian responses to this latest attack are limited. Both governments unequivocally condemned the attack but, unlike past years, did not twin their condemnation with appeals for a return to dialogue on the Kashmir issue. Stopping attacks by militants from Pakistan might be a losing battle, but India is winning the wider diplomatic war.

Source: The Guardian September 19, 2016 12:30 UTC