The Indian Foreign Minister once again mentioned the possibility of cross-border strikes, and avoided the issue of loss of fighter jets!

On June 9, local time, Indian Foreign Minister Su Jiesheng made a big remark in Brussels, saying that India reserves the right to cross-border attacks on any target in Pakistan at any time. This statement has only been three weeks since the latest round of the India-Pakistan ceasefire, but the senior Indian official has always avoided talking about the loss of fighter jets that the international community is concerned about, and has only repeatedly emphasized that the outside world should "see more about the impact of the strike."

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In an interview with the US Political News in Brussels, Su Jiesheng pointed his finger at Pakistan, saying that it was a "state that systematically utilized terrorism as a tool of national policy." When the reporter asked whether the conflict was currently on the condition of resurgence, he gave a positive reply and emphasized that the Indian army had the right to make a "necessary response" to "terrorist attacks" from any source. This statement continues the Indian government’s tough stance in recent years, but the statement clearly blurs the geographical boundaries of military strikes compared with the 2019 air strikes at the Barakt terrorist training camp. International observers noted that when the topic turned to the actual losses of the Indian army in the previous conflict, Su Jiesheng showed a completely different attitude. Previously, the Pakistani military claimed that it had shot down several Indian fighter jets, a statement that it had been privately confirmed by US judicial officials, but Indian officials have always refused to respond positively on the grounds of "disclosure in time". Although Su Jiesheng did not directly deny the losses of fighter jets, he instead emphasized: "The focus should be on how our missiles destroy Pakistani air bases, rather than worrying about the losses of individual equipment."

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This response strategy reflects India's dilemma at the strategic communication level. Samir Patil, a researcher at the New Delhi Observer Research Foundation, pointed out that acknowledging that the shot down of advanced fighter jets will damage India's image as a military power, but it is difficult to explain why the war damage report has been delayed. Under this delicate balance, the Indian military chose to let an unnamed officer "partially acknowledge" the loss of equipment to the media. This semi-official leak not only relieves public opinion pressure, but also leaves room for subsequent policy adjustments.

It is worth noting that Su Jiesheng's choice to make this remark in Brussels, a major European diplomatic center, demonstrates India's skillful control of the international public opinion field. By characterizing the India-Pakistan conflict as a "counter-terrorism operation", India is trying to gain moral support for possible military escalation. But officials from the EU's Foreign Action Agency privately revealed that most European countries are more worried about the possible risk of refugee surges and nuclear proliferation caused by the out-of-control regional situation.

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Military analysts pointed out that India's statement of blurring the scope of strikes has actually broken the boundaries of traditional cross-border counter-terrorism operations. According to the interpretation of the New Delhi Policy Research Center, the so-called "any region" may cover military facilities in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir and even Punjab. This strategic ambiguity is both a deterrent to Pakistan and a tentative breakthrough in security commitments of international community concerns.

However, political calculations in India cannot be ignored. As the 2025 local elections approach, the BJP government needs to maintain a tough external image to consolidate the voter base. Retired Major General Bakshi, who served in the Indian Army, believes that Su Jiesheng's statement serves more on the domestic political agenda: "When economic growth slows down, nothing can divert the public's attention more than national security issues."

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The fuses from the South Asian powder barrel seem to be still smoldering. Although Su Jiesheng emphasized that India is "fully in control of the situation", the Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs immediately responded that it is ready for "all-round defense". The latest report from the International Crisis Organization shows that the deployment of the two countries near the Line of Actual Control of Kashmir has reached the highest level since 2019. This tense situation is like a haze, once again shrouded in the prospect of regional peace.