- CJCSC emphasizes crisis prevention is better than crisis fighting, saying suppressed disputes, whether territorial or ideological, cannot be indefinitely managed
SINGAPORE: The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, has stressed that an “early resolution of Kashmir dispute in line with the UN Security Council resolutions and as per the aspirations of the people is essential” for an enduring peace in South Asia.
General Sahir Shamshad Mirza made the remarks at the annual Shangri-La Dialogue 2025 organised by the International Institute for Strategic Studies in Singapore.
“The core issue that resides between Pakistan and India is Kashmir,” the CJCSC pointed out. He added that unless countries did not “enter conflict resolution”—which” he said could initially be through conflict management and then lead to resolution — issues would “always erupt”.
“When there is no crisis, Kashmir is never discussed, and as we always say that it is the Kashmir dispute resolution in line with the aspirations of the people of Kashmir and in line with the United Nations Security Council resolutions that will address many issues.
In an apparent reference to the Kashmir dispute, the CJCSC also noted: “Crisis prevention is better than crisis fighting. Suppressed disputes, whether territorial or ideological, cannot be indefinitely managed.”
He recalled that India’s strikes on Pakistan “disturbed the deterrence stability”, which had to be restored while remaining within the conventional domain. However, he added, strategic stability was still disturbed.
Highlighting the absence of a crisis management mechanism, the “jingoistic” role of Indian media and its leadership’s mindset, he said, “Had there been no third-party mediation, it would have gone to the next level.”
Gen Mirza pointed out that the 1965 and 1971 wars with India were “always confined to the disputed territory.” “[However,] this time, it has transcended that and come to the international border.”
He recalled that India’s strikes on Pakistan “disturbed the deterrence stability,” which had to be restored while remaining within the conventional domain. However, he added, strategic stability was still disturbed.
The top general mentioned the United States, the United Kingdom, Turkiye, China, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates as the “interlocutors.”
