Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], May 13 (ANI): Himachal Pradesh Minister for Sainik Welfare, Colonel (Retired) Dhani Ram Shandil, on Tuesday, emphasised the importance of responsible leadership and peaceful diplomacy amid tensions between India and Pakistan.

Reacting to recent statements made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding cross-border issues and national security, Shandil said that all country people are united on the issue.

'A Prime Minister carries a huge responsibility, and they must fulfil that responsibility with seriousness. Whatever he said is indeed worth serious thought. Both the ruling party and the opposition are standing together with him,' said Shandil.

'War is never a solution to any problem. I've fought three wars myself. Dialogue is the only way forward,' he said.

Shandil, who served as an army officer and is also a military scholar, pointed out the consistent strategy of Pakistan to destabilise India through a slow, continuous campaign of proxy warfare.

'If we look at Pakistan, their approach has always been that of 'bleeding the nation.' I have been a soldier in the army and a military student too. I have seen Pakistan's activities and the way they have structured them, this 'bleed India' doctrine, where they keep inflicting small but continuous damage, so that India cannot progress,' he said.

Expressing shock over recent developments in Pakistan, the Himachal Pradesh Minister noted, 'It is truly astonishing that a Chief of Army Staff is saluting a terrorist upon his death. In service, they even elevate terrorists by making them religious leaders or Maulvis,' he said.

Shandil warned of the grave consequences if such provocations continue unchecked. 'If once again such acts happen, which have now been stopped, the world must be made aware. Both nations in Asia are nuclear-armed. But there must be stability in this region,' he urged.

Advocating for peace and economic growth, he added, 'If we want economic development and progress, then absolutely no to war, that is my belief.'

Colonel Shandil also dismissed the idea of third-party mediation in the India-Pakistan conflict.

'I don't think any kind of mediation will help, nor has it ever helped. We believe in direct dialogue. Intervention by America or any other external player is not acceptable,' he said.

India has launched 'Operation Sindoor' on May 7 to strike multiple terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied-Kashmir in retaliation for a deadly attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on April 22 in which 26 tourists were killed. (ANI)