The conflict between India and Pakistan is one of the most complex and long-standing geopolitical issues in the world. It reached a new peak in May 2025, when military clashes brought both nuclear-armed powers to the brink of open war. A US-brokered ceasefire brought temporary calm, but underlying tensions remain.
Current escalation in May 2025
In early May 2025, heavy fighting erupted along the border between India and Pakistan, particularly in the disputed region of Kashmir. The attack was triggered by an attack on Indian tourists in Kashmir that killed 26 people. India blamed Pakistani-backed militias and responded with airstrikes on Pakistani territory. Pakistan, in turn, claimed to have shot down Indian fighter jets. Both sides reported military successes and accused each other of escalation.
A US-brokered ceasefire came into effect on May 11. Although the ceasefire initially held, new fighting broke out along the so-called Line of Control (LoC) the following night, underscoring the fragility of the peace agreement.
Historical roots of the conflict
Tensions between India and Pakistan date back to the partition of British India in 1947. At that time, Pakistan was created as a state for Muslims, while India was conceived as a secular state. However, the predominantly Muslim princely state of Jammu and Kashmir chose to join India, which Pakistan did not accept. This led to the First Indo-Pakistani War (1947–1949), which ended with the de facto partition of Kashmir.
In the following decades, further wars (1965, 1971) and military conflicts occurred, including the Siachen conflict from 1984 onwards. A significant diplomatic attempt to resolve the conflict was the Shimla Agreement of 1972, in which both countries agreed to resolve their differences peacefully and bilaterally.
Kashmir – The eternal bone of contention
Kashmir remains the central point of contention between India and Pakistan. Both countries claim the entire region, but each controls only parts of it. The region is heavily militarized and has been the scene of numerous military and terrorist clashes in the past. The population is suffering from the ongoing tensions, and many residents are demanding a say in the region's future.
outlook
The recent ceasefire offers a brief respite, but without a lasting solution to the Kashmir conflict, the risk of further escalation remains. International mediation attempts, such as those by the United States, are met with skepticism, particularly in India, which views the conflict as an internal matter. As long as no agreement is reached on Kashmir's status, the region remains a potential flashpoint with global implications.