Despite a U.S.-brokered ceasefire, deep hostilities and new-age warfare keep India-Pakistan conflict on edge. Fragile peace raises global concern.
South Asia’s nuclear-armed neighbours, India and Pakistan, have once again stepped back from the brink. A U.S.-brokered ceasefire between the two has taken hold — but just barely.
Announced on Saturday, the truce followed four days of intense cross-border military action in the Kashmir region. Yet, mere hours after it began, explosions and air raid sirens shattered the calm, casting doubt on the ceasefire’s durability.
A Shaky Start: Rhetoric and Retaliation
India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri vowed a strong response to violations, while Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry warned of equal retaliation — all while claiming commitment to peace.
At the heart of the recent escalation lies a deadly militant attack in which 25 Hindu tourists and a guide were killed. India accused Pakistan of harbouring the attackers — a charge Islamabad strongly denies.
The ceasefire may have paused open fighting, but the bitterness remains barely contained.
Modern Warfare Escalates Risks
This was not just another border skirmish — it was the most technologically advanced military standoff between the two countries to date.
- Weaponized drones breached airspace on both sides.
- Loitering munitions, laser-guided missiles, and night-time artillery fire intensified the conflict.
- Disinformation and social media chaos blurred the reality of ground situations.
Experts fear the use of such advanced technologies has raised the stakes dangerously high, making escalation easier and resolution harder.
Non-Military Moves Stir Further Alarm
Even beyond the battlefield, actions off the field have contributed to the rising hostility. India’s suspension of a decades-old water-sharing treaty with Pakistan — a vital resource agreement — was seen in Islamabad as nothing short of an “act of war.”
Pakistan relies on the shared water for over 80% of its agricultural needs and a third of its hydropower. The treaty had withstood prior conflicts — but this time, diplomacy gave way to pressure tactics.
Kashmir: The Enduring Faultline
The conflict over Kashmir, a region claimed in full by both nations but controlled in parts, remains the core flashpoint.
- India and Pakistan have fought two wars and one major conflict over Kashmir.
- The Line of Control (LoC) continues to be one of the world’s most heavily militarized borders.
- Analysts warn that nuclear deterrence may no longer suffice as escalation control in the age of drones and instant misinformation.
Global Reactions: Diplomacy on the Edge
Despite initial indifference, the United States intervened amid fears of nuclear escalation. While Vice-President JD Vance initially dismissed the conflict as “none of our business,” the situation quickly escalated beyond diplomatic comfort zones.
Behind the scenes, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice-President Vance engaged with Indian and Pakistani leadership, including Pakistan’s army chief Gen. Asim Munir, to stabilize the situation.
Analysts like Ayesha Siddiqa of King’s College London criticized the initial U.S. passivity, noting that absence of global mediation nearly allowed tensions to spiral unchecked.
What Lies Ahead
While missiles are no longer flying and artillery has quieted for now, the underlying hostility remains unresolved. The suspension of cooperative treaties, aggressive military posturing, and the introduction of next-gen warfare continue to make South Asia a geopolitical powder keg.
Experts warn that unless deep-rooted mistrust and unresolved territorial issues are addressed, the current calm is just a prelude to future conflict.
Stay with Maple News Wire for continuing coverage on South Asian geopolitics and international peace efforts.
