# *Detailed SUMMARY of the article "Lessons from a close call" by Jawed Naqvi, Published in Dawn on June 3rd, 2025:* The article analyzes the recent *India-Pakistan military escalation* (*May 7-10*) where *Pakistan* reportedly shot down several *Indian aircraft*, including *French-made Rafales*, as confirmed by *BJP leader Subramanian Swamy* and acknowledged by *India's Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan*. The escalation involved two *Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)* members testing *Chinese jets* (flown by *Pakistan*) against *Russian missiles* (used by *India*). *Pakistani pilots* used *silent radars* and *Chinese planes* with advanced *air-to-air missiles* to down *Indian Rafales*, causing *ripples in NATO* and *alarm among Dassault clients*. *Swamy* claimed *five planes* were destroyed, while *Gen Chauhan* acknowledged losses without revealing numbers, stating *Operation Sindoor* was ongoing. The conflict exposed limitations of *Israeli military technology*, already challenged by *cash-strapped militias* in *Yemen* and *Lebanon*, including a *Hezbollah drone* bombing *Netanyahu's toilet*. The article argues this represents a *misstep in the Global South*, as *India* and *Pakistan*, both part of the emerging *multipolar world*, fought each other instead of focusing on *Western hegemony*. *Russia*'s traditional defense partnership with *India* since the *1971 Indira Gandhi-Leonid Brezhnev pact* is shifting, with *Putin* canceling his *2025 India visit* and *Modi* skipping the *Victory Day parade* in *Moscow*. Meanwhile, *Russia* and *Pakistan* are eyeing an *energy pact*, with *Putin* offering *greater energy deals* to *PM Shehbaz Sharif* during the *SCO summit in Astana*. *Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov* warned *Modi* that the *West* was trying to pit *India against China*. *US President Donald Trump* has adopted a *standoffish approach* toward *India*, putting *Indian deportees in fetters* and suspending *US visas for Indian students* post-*Pahalgam*. *Trump* asserts he likes *India* and *Pakistan* equally and wants to help resolve the *Kashmir dispute*, troubling *India's nouveau riche middle classes* who prefer to forget *India* once *pawned gold reserves* to foreign banks. The article notes that *Chinese President Xi Jinping* met *Modi* in *October 2019* near *Chennai*, emphasizing that *peace between India, Pakistan, and China* was paramount for *South Asian progress*. The writer criticizes *Modi* for surrendering the fate of *a billion-plus people* to *willful terrorists* who decide when to trigger another *dicey spiral* in *India's new normal with Pakistan*. # *Easy/Short SUMMARY*: *Pakistan* shot down several *Indian Rafales* in *May 7-10* military escalation, confirmed by *BJP's Subramanian Swamy* and *Gen Anil Chauhan*. The conflict between two *SCO members* tested *Chinese* vs *Russian weaponry*, exposing *French Rafale* and *Israeli technology* limitations. *Russia* is shifting from *India* toward *Pakistan* with *energy deals*, while *Trump* adopts *standoffish approach* to *Modi*, putting *Indian deportees in fetters*. *Xi Jinping* emphasized *India-Pakistan-China peace* for *South Asian prosperity*, but *Modi* prefers *Western alignment* over regional cooperation. # *SOLUTIONS of The Problem*: ## *1. Promote Regional Cooperation* Prioritize *South Asian unity* over *Western alignment* through *SCO* and *BRICS* frameworks. ## *2. Strengthen China-India-Pakistan Dialogue* Implement *Xi Jinping*'s vision of trilateral peace for *South Asian progress* and *prosperity*. ## *3. Diversify Defense Partnerships* Reduce dependence on single *defense suppliers* and develop *indigenous capabilities*. ## *4. Focus on Economic Diplomacy* Shift from *military confrontation* to *economic cooperation* and *energy partnerships*. ## *5. Resolve Kashmir Dispute* Accept *international mediation* including *Trump*'s offer to resolve *Kashmir* through dialogue. ## *6. Strengthen BRICS Solidarity* Maintain *Global South* unity against *Western hegemony* instead of fighting each other. ## *7. Learn from Historical Mistakes* Avoid *Pakistan*'s mistake of being used by *Western powers* for *cynical agendas*. ## *8. Develop Indigenous Technology* Reduce reliance on *foreign military technology* that may have *limitations* in real conflict. ## *9. Embrace Multipolar World* Adapt to changing *global order* where *West* is losing *economic* and *political hegemony*. ## *10. Prioritize Regional Peace* Stop allowing *terrorists* and *extremists* to dictate *India-Pakistan relations* and regional stability. # *IMPORTANT Facts and Figures Given in the article*: - *India-Pakistan military escalation* occurred on *May 7-10, 2025*. - *BJP leader Subramanian Swamy* claimed *five Indian planes* were destroyed. - *Pakistan* used *Chinese jets* with *air-to-air missiles* and *silent radars*. - *India* used *Russian missiles* and *French-made Rafales*. - *Operation Sindoor* was ongoing according to *Gen Anil Chauhan*. - *1971 pact* between *Indira Gandhi* and *Leonid Brezhnev* established *India-Russia* defense ties. - *Xi Jinping* met *Modi* in *October 2019* near *Chennai*. - *Jimmy Carter* offered *Pakistan* *$400 million* which *Gen Ziaul Haq* called *"peanuts"*. # *IMPORTANT Facts and Figures out of the article*: - *India* is the world's largest *arms importer*, accounting for *11%* of global imports (*SIPRI*, 2024). - *Pakistan* ranks *9th* in global *military expenditure* at *$10.4 billion* (*SIPRI*, 2024). - *SCO* has *8 member states* covering *40%* of global population (*SCO Secretariat*, 2024). - *BRICS* accounts for *32%* of global *GDP* and *42%* of world population (*World Bank*, 2024). - *India-China* border dispute covers *4,057 km* along *LAC* (*MEA India*, 2024). - *Kashmir* has been disputed since *1947* with *3 wars* fought over it (*UN*, 2023). # *MCQs from the Article*: ### 1. *Which BJP leader claimed five Indian planes were destroyed in the recent conflict?* A. Narendra Modi *B. Subramanian Swamy* C. Rajnath Singh D. Anil Chauhan ### 2. *When did the India-Pakistan military escalation occur according to the article?* A. May 5-8 *B. May 7-10* C. May 10-13 D. May 15-18 ### 3. *What did Gen Ziaul Haq call Jimmy Carter's $400 million offer?* A. Generous B. Insufficient *C. Peanuts* D. Reasonable ### 4. *Where did Xi Jinping meet Modi in October 2019?* A. Beijing B. New Delhi *C. Near Chennai* D. Mumbai ### 5. *What is the name of the ongoing Indian military operation mentioned?* A. Operation Thunder *B. Operation Sindoor* C. Operation Victory D. Operation Peace # *VOCABULARY*: 1. *Escalation* (شدت) – Increase in intensity or scope of conflict 2. *Efficacy* (کارکردگی) – Effectiveness in producing desired results 3. *Scrutiny* (جانچ پڑتال) – Critical examination or investigation 4. *Ripples* (لہریں) – Spreading effects or consequences 5. *Hegemony* (بالادستی) – Leadership or dominance over others 6. *Paramount* (بنیادی) – Of utmost importance or priority 7. *Misstep* (غلط قدم) – Wrong or unwise action 8. *Monopolised* (اجارہ داری) – Exclusive control or possession 9. *Embargo* (پابندی) – Official ban on trade or activity 10. *Largesse* (فیاضی) – Generous giving of gifts or money 11. *Contrarian* (مخالف) – Opposing popular opinion or practice 12. *Standoffish* (بے اعتنا) – Distant and cold in manner 13. *Hyphenation* (جوڑنا) – Linking two things together 14. *Carpetbaggers* (موقع پرست) – Opportunistic outsiders seeking profit 15. *Cul-de-sac* (بند گلی) – Dead end or hopeless situation 16. *Inexplicable* (ناقابل فہم) – Unable to be explained or understood 17. *Prying* (تجسس) – Intrusive curiosity or investigation 18. *Intractable* (ضدی) – Hard to control or solve 19. *Dicey* (خطرناک) – Risky or uncertain 20. *Pawned* (گروی رکھا) – Given as security for a loan 📢 *Attention Please!* We appreciate your commitment to acquiring knowledge through our summaries. 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Click the link below to join now 🔗 [Dawn Article Summaries](https://cssmcqs.com/dawn-editorials-articles-summary-for-students-pdf-download/) *WhatsApp Channel Link*: [https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va7tT3o35fLnJeFbpS2y](https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va7tT3o35fLnJeFbpS2y) --- *www.dawn.com* *Lessons from a close call* *Jawed Naqvi* *6–8 minutes* NOW that it's firmly established by an outspoken critic of Prime Minister Narendra Modi from within the BJP that Pakistan shot down several Indian planes in the recent military escalation, an admission subsequently made although with less enthusiasm by the country's top military general, the question is about the lessons learnt. Let's consider a few. First, two members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, precursor to BRICS, who have been avoidably hostile towards each other, tested the efficacy of the group's weaponry, Chinese jets flown by Pakistan, and Russian missiles used by India. Both excelled if that is the word for inflicting damage on each other. What did not do too well were French-made Rafales that Modi had staked his political reputation for, and which are now a subject of global scrutiny. The shooting down of India's Rafales by Pakistani pilots using a complex network of silent radars and Chinese planes with advanced air-to-air missiles has reportedly caused ripples in Nato, and alarm among other clients of Dassault. The exact number of downed planes varies. BJP leader Subramanian Swamy said five were destroyed and blamed the planes for the loss. India's chief of defence staff, Gen Anil Chauhan, was in Singapore where he acknowledged the losses but would not reveal the numbers, saying that Operation Sindoor was not yet over. The May 7-10 military action has apparently revealed limitations of Israeli military technology, which has already been turned into something of a farce by the cash-strapped militias of Yemen and Lebanon. On one occasion, Benjamin Netanyahu's toilet was bombed by a Hezbollah drone, probably as a warning. Elsewhere, Russia, another BRICS stalwart, has shown Nato its place in the European theatre, and its war with Ukraine has left the West nonplussed with the unveiling of the unstoppable Oreshnik missile. Some have been given to Belarus as protection against possible Western adventurism after Britain's reported quest to buy nuclear-capable bombers from the US. US President Donald Trump seems to want Modi to find new friends and embrace them, preferably in India's neighbourhood. A second lesson from last month's air battles is that in a world where the West and the US are losing their grip on economic and political hegemony everywhere, an intelligent grasp of self-interest within the Global South has become paramount. The India-Pakistan battle revealed a misstep in the front ranks of the Global South. South Asia's Moscow link was hitherto monopolised by India, which received its defence lifeline from Russia after the 1971 pact between Indira Gandhi and Leonid Brezhnev. Recently, Russia and India broke the US embargo on Moscow and Indian tycoons close to Modi bought cheap Russian oil to ply a profitable trade of refined oil with Europe. In a new normal, Russia and Pakistan are reportedly eyeing an energy pact. This, while signals to the naked eye suggest that all is not well in India-Russia ties. Late last year, it was announced in Moscow that President Vladimir Putin would visit India on a routine bilateral trip in early 2025. That didn't happen. Mr Modi later indicated his inability to attend the landmark Victory Day parade against fascism at the Red Square. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was assigned to represent Modi. Eventually, nobody knows if anyone represented India at all. A more agreeable normal for BRICS was reflected in the pictures of Putin and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during their meeting at the SCO summit in Astana when the Russian president offered a greater energy deal to Pakistan. Times are changing. In this vein, in comments meant for India, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov last week cautioned Modi that the West was trying to pit India against China. Remember that Pakistan had put its national security on the line for the US against Moscow, but it was plied with monetary and military largesse after Gen Ziaul Haq spurned Jimmy Carter's offer of $400 million as "peanuts". India, on the other hand, appears primed to self-finance, being the West's hatchet man if it came to that, with unknown consequences for its polity and economy. A handy lesson for India lies in the fact that Pakistan regrets having allowed itself to be used in the West's cynical agenda. In a strangely contrarian way, US President Donald Trump seems to want Modi to find new friends and embrace them, preferably in India's neighbourhood. Trump has been standoffish in his actions and inactions towards India, most notably signaling the aloofness by putting Indian deportees in fetters. The intense hugging and first name-calling relationship with Modi seems to be under review, if not filed away in US presidential archives. Trump asserts that he likes India and Pakistan equally and wants to help them resolve their Kashmir dispute if they can't do it themselves. The hyphenation troubles India's nouveau riche middle classes. These Indians prefer to forget that their country had pawned gold reserves to foreign banks not too long ago as history goes and the IMF-prescribed solutions (which Pakistan is now following) involved handing the economy to private carpetbaggers, including one who became the Indian partner in the joint venture with Dassault. Together with pre-Pahalgam images of Indians in fetters followed by a post-Pahalgam suspension of US visas for Indian students, the diplomatic cul-de-sac Modi has led the country into hurts. Barring the fact that he needs to bail out a tycoon friend from trouble with US law, Modi's continued leaning towards the US is inexplicable. Chinese President Xi Jinping met him in October 2019 away from the prying eyes of media and foreign diplomats at a scenic retreat near Chennai. Xi told Modi that peace between India, Pakistan and China was paramount for the progress and prosperity of South Asia. Modi and his advisers have preferred to surrender the fate of a billion-plus people to the willful (and curiously intractable) terrorists and they are the ones who would decide when to set off another dicey spiral in India's new normal with Pakistan. The writer is Dawn's correspondent in Delhi. [email protected] Published in Dawn, June 3rd, 2025