Against the backdrop of escalating tensions in Kashmir in May 2025, India and Pakistan once again found themselves on the brink of military conflict. After a terrorist attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people, India accused Pakistani militants of being responsible, which led to a sharp deterioration in relations between the two countries. Pakistan, in turn, rejected the accusations and conducted missile tests, demonstrating its readiness to take appropriate measures.
Let’s take a look at the military capabilities of these two countries.
India’s military capabilities
Troop strength: 1.45 million active military personnel, 1.15 million reservists, and over 2.5 million paramilitary personnel.
Ground forces: 3,740 main battle tanks (T-90 Bhishma, Arjun), 9,743 artillery units, including modern Pinaka and Dhanush systems.
Air force: approximately 2,229 aircraft, including 600 fighter jets (Rafale, Su-30MKI), 899 helicopters, and 831 support aircraft.
Navy: 75,500 personnel, 150 ships, including the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya and Arihant-class ballistic missile submarines.
Nuclear arsenal: approximately 170–200 warheads, a “no first strike” policy, delivery systems — Agni (I–V), Prithvi, BrahMos missiles, as well as sea and air platforms.
Technological achievements: development of hypersonic missiles (BM-04), laser air defense systems (IDD&IS Mk2A), integration of theater commands, and the Integrated Battle Groups concept for rapid mobilization.
Pakistan’s military potential
Number: approximately 700,000 active military personnel: 560,000 in the army, 70,000 in the air force, and 30,000 in the navy.
Army: 2,537 main battle tanks (T-80, Al-Khalid), 4,619 artillery pieces.
Air Force: approximately 1,387 aircraft, including JF-17 Thunder and F-16 fighter jets, as well as Chinese drones.
Navy: 30,000 personnel, 9 frigates, 5 submarines, including new Chinese S20s.
Nuclear arsenal: approximately 170–190 warheads, a “first strike” doctrine with an emphasis on tactical nuclear weapons, including Nasr (Hatf-9) missiles with a range of up to 70 km.
Technological achievements: joint programs with China for the production of fighter jets, modernization of air defense, development of missile technologies.
The situation remains tense:
Pakistan has conducted two missile tests, including the launch of a Fatah missile with a range of 120 km.
India has stepped up security measures and conducted exercises in several states.
Both countries have closed their airspace and suspended trade.
International actors are calling for de-escalation.
Experts warn that even a limited conflict could escalate into a nuclear confrontation, given the doctrines of the parties and historical experience.
Indian military officials said Pakistani troops fired on Indian posts along the Line of Control in disputed Kashmir for the second time in a night, the Associated Press reported on Saturday.
According to a statement from the Indian Army, soldiers from several Pakistani army posts opened fire on Indian positions “across the Line of Control.”
Indian troops responded with small arms fire. The statement said the firing was ‘unprovoked,’ but no information on casualties was provided.
Tensions between India and Pakistan have escalated after a deadly attack on Indian tourists in Kashmir on Tuesday, when a terrorist attack killed about 30 people, most of whom were Indian citizens.
India called the attack a “terrorist attack” and accused Pakistan of supporting the attackers. The Indian Express, citing sources, reported that seven attackers were behind the attack, at least four of whom were from Pakistan.
Pakistan, in turn, denied any involvement, and an unknown militant group called the “Kashmir Resistance” claimed responsibility for the attack.
In response to the escalation of the conflict, India suspended an important agreement on the joint use of water resources and closed the only functioning land border crossing point.
Pakistan, in turn, canceled visas for Indian citizens and closed its airspace to Indian airlines.
Farmak Pharmaceutical Company (JSC Farmak, Kyiv) has started exporting to Pakistan, the first product supplied is an injectable drug for general anesthesia, which is also registered in the UK.
According to the company’s press release, Pakistan became the second country in South Asia after Jordan to which Farmak supplies its products. Farmak’s presence in the region is ensured by the Farmak International Middle East & Africa team.
In general, Farmak exports its products to more than 60 countries, including 15 EU countries, as well as countries of Central and South America, the Middle East, Asia, Africa and Australia.
As reported, in 2023, Farmak increased its net profit by 18% compared to 2022, to UAH 1.557 billion.
Farmak Group is the leader of the Ukrainian pharmaceutical market in monetary terms, has two production sites in Ukraine and a production site in Spain, as well as 11 international representative offices and marketing and distribution companies in countries such as Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, Vietnam, Switzerland, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Moldova. The ultimate beneficial owner of Farmak is the Chairman of the Supervisory Board Filya Zhebrovska (80% of the company’s shares).
On August 14, 2024, the Embassy of Pakistan in Ukraine hosted a solemn event to celebrate the 77th anniversary of the Independence Day of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, which was attended by representatives of the Pakistani community from different regions of Ukraine, Islamic religious leaders and friends of Pakistan from among the citizens of Ukraine.
After the reading of the Holy Quran, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan H.E. Major General (retired) Nadir Khan raised the national flag during the performance of the national anthem of Pakistan.
The Ambassador of Pakistan congratulated the guests on a special day in the history of the country, when the unprecedented struggle of the Pakistani people for freedom under the leadership of the Father of the Nation Muhammad Ali Jinnah took place, culminating in the establishment of the state of Pakistan on August 14, 1947.
The diplomat noted that the 77-year history of the country’s independence is full of challenges and trials:
– Incomplete territorial division and unresolved Kashmir issue
– Migration and refugee crisis
– Crisis of governance (death of Muhammad Ali Jinnah and assassination of Liaquat Ali Khan)
– Wars with India (1948, 1965 and 1971)
– Consequences of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, which led to the war on terrorism
– Natural disasters, sanctions, etc.
According to the diplomat, today Pakistan is the only Muslim nuclear power with powerful armed forces.
In his speech, the Head of the Diplomatic Mission also focused on the work of the Embassy over the past year of his stay in Ukraine.
“We work in close cooperation and coordination with our Ukrainian friends. The visit of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine to Pakistan, the participation of the First Lady of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in the Forum of First Ladies and Gentlemen, regular communication and exchange of messages between the leaderships of the two countries are just some of the moments that reflect the positive in our relations with Ukraine,” he said.
The Ambassador emphasized his country’s unwavering position in support of Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty
“We wish and want to see full peace return to Ukraine as soon as possible. Pakistan has been and will always be happy to play a constructive role in resolving the conflict,” the diplomat emphasized.
A message from the President of Pakistan, Mr. Asif Ali Zardari, was also read out.
The ceremony concluded with a prayer for the well-being and prosperity of the people of Pakistan, the Muslim Ummah and humanity, as well as for the return of peace and prosperity to Ukraine.
The Islamic Republic of Pakistan recognized Ukraine’s independence on December 31, 1991. On March 16, 1992, diplomatic relations between Ukraine and Pakistan were established. The Embassy of Pakistan has been operating in Kyiv since October 1997.
Active Group and Experts Club have conducted a joint study on the attitudes of Ukrainians towards the countries of East Asia and the Middle East. The study was presented at the Interfax-Ukraine news agency in June 2024. The research was presented by Maksym Urakin and Oleksandr Poznyi. The results of the study are as follows:
The results of the survey are as follows:
Completely positive – 1.7%.
Mostly positive – 17.2
Mostly negative – 30.1 %.
Completely negative – 11.8 %.
Difficult to answer – 39.2%.
Positive – Negative – 23.0%.
On March 16, 1992, diplomatic relations between Ukraine and Pakistan were established. The Embassy of Pakistan has been operating in Kyiv since October 1997.
The joint research by Active Group and Experts Club on the attitudes of Ukrainians towards the countries of East Asia and the Middle East was conducted in April-May 2024. It covers such countries as Turkey, Iran, Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Armenia, India, China, Republic of Korea, DPRK, Japan, Vietnam, Indonesia, Syria, and Iraq. Full information on the research is available on the website of the Club of Experts at
A heat wave in Pakistan has triggered temporary school closures and power problems, the Associated Press reported Tuesday.
“The debilitating heat wave will continue this month,” said Zaheer Ahmed Babar, a senior member of Pakistan’s Meteorological Department. Temperatures could exceed the monthly norm by six degrees Celsius, he said. It will exceed 40 degrees Celsius in many parts of the country this week.
In Punjab, the country’s most populous province, all schools will not be open this week because of the heat wave, and about 18 million students will stay at home. Some parts of the country are experiencing hours-long power cuts.
On Monday, it was reported that the abnormal heat wave is also observed in neighboring India. In Delhi and areas adjacent to the Indian capital, temperatures have exceeded the 47 degrees Celsius mark in the last 24 hours. Authorities have declared a red, maximum, level of weather danger in the capital, as well as in the states of Rajasthan, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, where the previous day the temperature ranged from 43 to 46 degrees Celsius.
The heat wave is expected to continue in India for at least five more days.
