Between two nuclear-armed states, the only triumphant is death. The recent four-day military escalation along the Line of Control and international borders between Pakistan and India brought the region to the edge of catastrophe, only narrowly defused by urgent U.S. mediation. Yet, the ceasefire is no guarantee of peace. As nationalist fervor and religious extremism continue to drive aggressive posturing, the specter of war looms large over South Asia. With nearly two billion people living under the shadow of potential annihilation, South Asia cannot afford another conflict. The echoes of war here would not fade, they would haunt generations.
April 22nd and May 7th marked black days for South Asians, as many innocent civilians lost their lives. History repeated itself: first, a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Indian-occupied Kashmir resulted in the deaths of twenty-six tourists. As in the 2019 Pulwama attack, India quickly accused Pakistan of backing terrorism in Kashmir. Second, India launched Operation Sindoor, striking nine sites inside Pakistan and Azad Jammu & Kashmir, killing 40 civilians and 13 military personnel. India justified the strikes as a defensive-offense against alleged terrorist basecamps, echoing its 2019 preemptive strike in Balakot. Indian officials’ rhetoric and jingoistic nationalism affirm George Santayana’s warning: “Those who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it.”
War is never the answer, and it never shall be. Yet, India’s aggressive actions have threatened not only regional stability but global security. It has disregarded international norms—unilaterally suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, posing an existential threat to Pakistan’s survival, and violating the Geneva Conventions by using SCALP missiles, BrahMos cruise missiles, and SkyStriker loitering munitions on civilian infrastructure. Massive drone strikes and artillery fire across the LOC also breached the Karachi Agreement of 1949. This escalation brought the region perilously close to nuclear conflict and undermined the credibility of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
Prime Minister Modi has consistently used anti-Pakistan rhetoric to gain domestic political favor, advancing a religiously charged Hindutva ideology backed by the fundamentalist RSS. Since his administration took power, tensions over Kashmir have only grown. While the 2019 standoff was de-escalated quickly due to the absence of civilian casualties, this time, Pakistan was compelled to respond militarily. In retaliation to Operation Sindoor, Pakistan launched Operation Bunyan al-Marsoos (“The Iron Wall”) on May 10th. Fortunately, diplomacy prevailed once again, U.S. efforts facilitated hotline communication between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs), leading to a ceasefire and reducing fears of nuclear escalation.
However, the human toll remains grave. Civilians on both sides of the LOC, particularly in Surankote (India) and Neelum Valley (Pakistan), have suffered displacement, trauma, and psychological stress due to the constant threat of shelling and drone strikes. This instability has created skepticism about the durability of any ceasefire, especially among Kashmiris who have borne the brunt of cross-border hostilities. Any further breach will only deepen human suffering.
The war has already devastated infrastructure and border facilities, and India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty has economic and developmental repercussions for Pakistan, threatening its sovereignty and risking further escalation. The broader consequence is the continued underdevelopment of South Asia. Military spending driven by mutual distrust diverts critical resources from healthcare, education, and poverty alleviation. Both India and Pakistan, already economically fragile, cannot afford another conflict. A new war would destabilize not only these two nations but also the wider region—including Afghanistan and Central Asia—while fueling terrorism. The ceasefire offers only a temporary reprieve; if root causes remain unaddressed, South Asia could become a flashpoint of global instability.
India’s expulsion of a Pakistani diplomat and reported ceasefire violations within just 36 hours of the agreement—coupled with Modi’s hardline anti-terrorism stance—have already shaken confidence in the ceasefire’s longevity. Analysts and Kashmiri residents alike fear renewed hostilities. To avoid future conflict, both nations must take proactive measures to build trust. Lasting peace in South Asia requires sustained dialogue on core issues, especially terrorism and Kashmir.
The revitalization of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) could play a vital role in rebuilding trust and fostering economic and cultural ties. A people-centric approach—through cross-border trade and cultural exchange—can help humanize the “other” and dismantle long-standing enmity. Only through cooperation and inclusivity can South Asia escape its cycle of conflict and build a future based on peace and prosperity.
South Asia cannot afford another war—its catastrophic human, economic, and geopolitical consequences would be irreversible. We urge leaders, citizens, and the international community to seize this moment. Peace must be pursued through dialogue, trust-building, and regional cooperation—for the sake of our people, and for the stability of the world.
The writer is a student of BS International Relations at International Islamic University Islamabad and currently intern at Kashmir institute of International Relations.