A recent U.S. intelligence report has shed light on Pakistan’s evolving military strategy, underlining the nation’s continued reliance on nuclear modernization, its growing dependence on China, and the deep-seated tension that continues to shape its relationship with India. The report comes at a delicate moment, just days after India and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire following a dangerously close brush with full-scale war earlier this month.
The 2025 World Threat Assessment outlines how Pakistan’s military priorities remain fixed on countering what it views as external threats, primarily India. The document notes that despite ongoing operations, Pakistan has suffered deeply at the hands of terrorism within its borders—over 2,500 lives were lost to militant attacks in 2024 alone. Amid this internal strife, Pakistan’s military has maintained a sharp focus on border tensions and upgrading its nuclear capabilities, while also navigating increasing instability along its western frontier due to groups like the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan and Baloch separatists.
The report reveals that China continues to be Pakistan’s most significant military and economic partner. The two nations have not only deepened strategic ties through recurring joint military exercises but also through the transfer of sensitive materials and technology. Many of these dual-use items, with applications in weapons of mass destruction, are believed to have been acquired through a network of foreign suppliers, primarily based in China and transshipped through Hong Kong, Singapore, Turkey, and the UAE. However, this partnership has not been without its strains—terrorist attacks targeting Chinese nationals working on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects have become a serious concern, resulting in the death of seven Chinese citizens in 2024 alone.
In a stern and emotionally charged response to recent hostilities, India launched Operation Sindoor—precision strikes on terror-linked infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir—following the brutal Pahalgam terror attack that claimed dozens of civilian lives. The four-day conflict, between May 7 and 10, saw intense missile exchanges, drone warfare, and artillery barrages. The strikes were meant as a clear message against cross-border terrorism. India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasized that the country would never yield to “nuclear blackmail” and reiterated India’s zero-tolerance stance toward terrorism.
The intelligence report further highlights how Pakistan continues to perceive India as an existential threat. It is aggressively pursuing military upgrades, including battlefield nuclear weapons, to balance India’s conventional military superiority. This adversarial posture, combined with the lack of meaningful accountability for terror infrastructure within Pakistan, adds to regional insecurity and frustrates peace-building efforts.
Another notable concern flagged in the report is the fragile state of Pakistan’s relations with Iran. In early 2024, both countries exchanged cross-border airstrikes in response to terror attacks originating from their respective territories. Though de-escalation talks have taken place since then, tensions remain volatile.
At its core, the report paints a picture of a region on edge—torn between long-standing rivalries, internal turmoil, and external pressures. It is a sobering reminder of how deeply entrenched mistrust and unresolved issues continue to plague South Asia’s quest for peace. The world watches, with cautious hope, that diplomacy and restraint prevail over conflict and confrontation.
