'Nuclear exchange' between Pakistan, India 'most likely': NYT

KARACHI/WASHINGTON: The New York Times on Thursday claimed that "a nuclear exchange" between Pakistan and India was "most likely" and that it was "not North Korea".

In an opinion piece, the NYT's editorial board emphasised that although the Indo-Pak tensions have diffused, for now, the two countries' "nuclear arsenals mean unthinkable consequences are always possible".

Regardless, the board stressed that "this relative calm is not a solution". It noted that Islamabad and New Delhi were "long among the world’s most antagonistic neighbors" and that it was fortunate they found "the good sense to de-escalate".

The NYT hinted at the prior escalations and spats between the two neighbouring South Asian nations and said it was in this light that the countries "maintain a near-constant state of military readiness along their border and have little formal government-to-government dialogue".

"As long as India and Pakistan refuse to deal with their core dispute — the future of Kashmir — they face unpredictable, possibly terrifying, consequences," it said.

"But the United States needs to get involved. … the United States should be ready to assist if they cannot," it added.