Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar revealed that on the night of May 9, 2025, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance personally warned Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi about a possible large-scale Pakistani military strike. The warning came amid rising tensions following earlier Indian air strikes inside Pakistani territory.
Jaishankar, speaking to an American magazine, said he was present during the phone call between the two leaders. According to him, the U.S. Vice President told Modi that unless India accepted certain conditions, Pakistan was prepared to launch a major attack against India.
In response, Modi made it clear that India would not back down. He told the U.S. official that if Pakistan attacked, India would retaliate decisively and protect its sovereignty. Jaishankar emphasized that this conversation happened just before Pakistan launched its offensive that very night.
The background to this exchange involves escalating cross-border strikes. On the night of 6-7 May, India conducted multiple air raids inside Pakistani territory targeting militant camps. Pakistan’s Air Force responded swiftly, shooting down seven Indian fighter jets. This led to a series of missile and drone attacks by India.
In retaliation, on 10 May, Pakistan launched Operation Bunyan Al-Marsous, a large-scale military counterattack targeting Indian airbases, radar stations, and key military installations. Pakistani officials claimed the operation dealt a severe blow to India’s offensive capabilities.
The May conflict marked one of the most intense flare-ups between India and Pakistan in years, sparking fears of wider war. International actors urged restraint as both sides blamed each other for provoking violence, with this U.S. warning revealing high-level diplomatic efforts to prevent escalation.