The risk of exposing a military still being modernized may constrain Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he weighs retaliation for a terrorist attack.

Following the Pahalgam terror attack, the US has expressed solidarity with India, but stopped short of explicitly endorsing any military retaliation against Pakistan. While officials like Tulsi Gabbard have offered strong support,

India and Pakistan troops exchanged fire in the Jammu and Kashmir region on Friday, according to officials in New Delhi, as relations between the nuclear-armed neighbors deteriorate after a deadly attack on tourists this week.