India-Pakistan tensions rise: Kashmir conflict escalates
India's recent actions against Pakistan mark another chapter in the ongoing conflict between these nations. The dispute over Kashmir has persisted since 1947. This region, divided by the Line of Control, is one of the most heavily militarized in the world, and recent developments, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, threaten further escalation.
The origins of the conflict trace back to the partition of British India in 1947. At that time, Hari Singh, the Maharaja of Kashmir, faced invasions by tribes backed by Pakistan and signed an accession agreement with India. This led to the first in a series of Indo-Pakistani wars (1947–1948, 1965, 1971, 1999) that shaped the division of Kashmir into regions administered by India (Jammu and Kashmir) and Pakistan (Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan). Over the subsequent decades, the area has experienced border clashes, Pakistan’s support for separatist movements, and Indian military operations in the Kashmir Valley.
The primary causes of the dispute include religious differences—Kashmir's Muslim majority receives support from Pakistan, while India views the region as an integral part of the country. The location of Kashmir also holds significance due to its control over water resources, such as the Indus and Jhelum rivers. The geopolitical importance of the region is further amplified by its proximity to China, which controls Aksai Chin, and the Siachen Glacier, the highest battleground in the world.
Recent years have seen heightened tensions. In 2019, India revoked the autonomy of Jammu and Kashmir, sparking protests and worsening ties with Pakistan. The attack on tourists in Pahalgam in April 2025, which India attributes to Pakistan-supported militants, has led to a diplomatic crisis. In response, India closed the border, expelled Pakistani diplomats, and suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, crucial for Pakistani agriculture. Pakistan retaliated by restricting trade, closing its airspace to Indian airlines, and suspending the Shimla Agreement.
India stronger than Pakistan
Militarily, India surpasses Pakistan with an army of 1.4 million soldiers, a defense budget of $81 billion, and advanced weaponry, including nuclear arms. Pakistan, with 650,000 soldiers and a $10.4 billion budget, relies on asymmetric tactics and nuclear deterrence, bolstered by China. Both countries avoid full-scale warfare due to the nuclear risk, but incidents like the exchange of fire along the Line of Control in April 2025 keep tensions alive.
The conflict has broader implications. The suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty threatens a food crisis in Pakistan, while the closure of airspace by both countries disrupts international flight connections. The international community, including the USA, China, and the UN, urges de-escalation, but the lack of consensus complicates mediation efforts. Kashmir remains a symbol of unresolved tensions, where religion, politics, and natural resources converge in one of the most enduring conflicts of the modern era.
