The conflict between Pakistan and India is a complex, decades-long struggle rooted in historical, political, and religious factors, with the disputed region of Kashmir at its core. Below, I’ll provide a concise overview of the conflict, its origins, recent developments, and key dynamics, drawing on available information and critically examining the situation.
Origins of the Conflict
The India-Pakistan conflict began with the partition of British India in 1947, which created two independent nations: Hindu-majority India and Muslim-majority Pakistan. The partition was marked by massive displacement (up to 15 million people) and communal violence, with estimates of 200,000 to 2 million deaths. The princely state of Jammu and Kashmir, with a Muslim-majority population but a Hindu ruler, became a flashpoint. The ruler’s decision to accede to India after an invasion by Pakistani tribesmen sparked the first Indo-Pakistani War (1947–1948). The war ended with a UN-brokered ceasefire, establishing the Line of Control (LoC), which divides Kashmir into Indian-administered and Pakistan-administered territories. Both nations claim the entire region, fueling ongoing tensions.
Since then, India and Pakistan have fought three major wars (1947, 1965, 1971) and numerous skirmishes, with Kashmir and cross-border terrorism as central issues. The 1971 war, primarily over East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), resulted in Pakistan’s surrender and significant territorial losses. Both nations developed nuclear capabilities—India in 1974 and Pakistan in 1998—raising the stakes of any escalation.
Key Issues
1. Kashmir Dispute: Kashmir remains the primary driver of conflict. India administers Jammu and Kashmir as a union territory, while Pakistan controls Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. Both sides accuse each other of supporting militancy and violating ceasefire agreements along the LoC.
2. Cross-Border Terrorism: India frequently accuses Pakistan of sponsoring terrorist groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, which have carried out attacks in India, including the 2008 Mumbai attacks (166 killed) and the 2019 Pulwama attack (40+ killed). Pakistan denies state involvement, though it has acknowledged the presence of such groups.
3. Nuclear Risk: As nuclear-armed states, both countries face the risk of escalation. Pakistan’s nuclear doctrine includes a first-strike policy if its territorial integrity is threatened, while India maintains a no-first-use policy. Miscalculations, such as intelligence failures or provocative strikes, could lead to catastrophic consequences.
4. Diplomatic and Economic Tensions: Relations are marked by severed trade, closed borders, and downgraded diplomatic ties. India’s 2019 revocation of Kashmir’s autonomy (Article 370) and Pakistan’s subsequent suspension of trade and diplomatic relations further strained ties.
Recent Developments (2025)
Recent tensions have centered on a militant attack in Pahalgam, Indian-administered Kashmir, on April 22, 2025, which killed 26 people, mostly Indian tourists. India accused Pakistan of backing the attack, which was initially claimed by the Resistance Front, a group India links to Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba. Pakistan denied involvement and called for a neutral investigation.
This incident triggered a sharp escalation:
– Military Actions: On May 6–7, India launched “Operation Sindoor,” conducting airstrikes on nine alleged “terrorist infrastructure” sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, including targets in Bahawalpur and Muridke. Pakistan reported strikes in Muzaffarabad, Kotli, and Bahawalpur, claiming 31 civilian deaths. India denied targeting civilians, asserting precision strikes. Pakistan retaliated, claiming to shoot down 25 Indian drones and five aircraft, though India dismissed these claims as misinformation.
– Drone Warfare: Both sides deployed kamikaze drones, marking a new phase in their conflict. India reported Pakistani drone incursions in 36 locations, while Pakistan claimed to down over 70 Indian drones.
– Diplomatic Fallout: India suspended the 1960 Indus Water Treaty, expelled Pakistani diplomats, and closed the Attari border crossing. Pakistan reciprocated by downgrading ties and banning Indian news sites.
– Ceasefire Agreement: On May 10, 2025, both nations agreed to a U.S.-mediated ceasefire, halting four days of intense drone and missile strikes. Pakistan acknowledged the U.S. role, while India claimed the ceasefire was negotiated directly.
Critical Analysis
The India-Pakistan conflict is driven by deep-seated mistrust and competing national narratives. India views Pakistan as a state sponsor of terrorism, using Kashmir to destabilize its neighbor. Pakistan sees India’s control of Kashmir as an occupation, justifying support for “freedom fighters.” Both sides exploit these narratives for domestic political gain—India’s government under Narendra Modi has leveraged anti-Pakistan sentiment to bolster its nationalist credentials, while Pakistan’s military uses the conflict to maintain its domestic influence amid economic and political crises.
The nuclear dimension complicates de-escalation. While deterrence has prevented all-out war, incidents like the 2019 Balakot airstrikes and the 2025 Pahalgam attack show how quickly tensions can spiral. The lack of robust diplomatic backchannels and Pakistan’s growing alignment with China (versus India’s U.S. tilt) reduce the effectiveness of external mediation.
The ceasefire on May 10, 2025, is a temporary reprieve, but underlying issues—Kashmir’s status, militancy, and mutual accusations—remain unresolved. Economic pressures also loom: India’s trade negotiations with the U.S. and UK are at risk, while Pakistan’s fragile economy faces further strain from military escalation.Diplomacy and pressure from the United States helped secure the ceasefire deal, but within hours of its coming into force, artillery fire was witnessed in Indian Kashmir, the centre of much of last week’s fighting.
The India-Pakistan conflict is a volatile mix of historical grievances, territorial disputes, and nuclear risks, with Kashmir as its epicenter. The recent escalation in 2025, driven by the Pahalgam attack and subsequent strikes, underscores the fragility of peace. While the ceasefire offers hope, lasting stability requires addressing root causes, including Kashmir’s political status and cross-border militancy. External powers like the U.S. can mediate, but both nations must prioritize dialogue over brinkmanship to avoid catastrophic escalation.
source: Reuters, CNN
Images by Reuters