By Syed Sibtain H. Shah (PhD)
The recent armistice between Pakistan and India along the Line of Control (LoC) dividing two parts of disputed territory of Jammu and Kashmir, working boundary and international borders between the two countries has been hailed by regional and global players as a positive development in the region. After four days of fighting, the two nuclear-armed neighbours on Saturday, May 10, 2025 greed to the ceasefire. after diplomatic pressure including American intervention and
How the They Achieve the Ceasefire?
There are different opinions about the reasons for the ceasefire. Some say it happened due to diplomatic pressure, while some people and media people in Pakistan say that India has agreed to the ceasefire due to Pakistan’s strong retaliation. Veteran American journalist working for CNN Nick Robertson, known for his insightful analysis on South Asian affairs, has also evaluated the matter. By quoting perspective of Pakistani sources, his observations highlight that India initially proposed the ceasefire, which Pakistan later accepted. Whatever the reason for the ceasefire, it is a decent step. This mutual understanding, though fragile, presents a crucial opportunity for lasting peace—provided both nations commit to upholding it and preventing spoilers from derailing the process.
According to Nick Robertson, he was informed by Pakistani sources that India was forced to declare a ceasefire due to the rain of missiles from Pakistan as retaliation to Indian attacks on Pakistan’s cities particularly military airbases including Islamabad’s airbase. This is what the CNN reporter is saying with reference to Pakistani sources, while the Pakistani media is reporting that the CNN reporter said this that Pakistan’s massive retaliation forced India to accept ceasefire. It is journalistic dishonesty to present this as an analysis of the CNN reporter while reality is that he reported it while quoting Pakistani sources.
Anyway, ceasefire is a good move, but it is not a mere pause in hostilities; they are diplomatic openings that can pave the way for broader conflict resolution. The current truce is particularly significant because it comes after days of escalating tensions, including military standoffs, cross-border skirmishes, and inflammatory rhetoric through media. If maintained, this ceasefire could serve as a foundation for rebuilding trust between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
However, history shows that ceasefires in South Asia often break down due to provocations by hardline elements on both sides. Both Pakistan and India must take concrete steps to restrain rogue actors of both sides—whether state-sponsored or non-state—who seek to reignite conflict for political or ideological reasons.
Spoilers of peace in South Asia come in many forms: militant groups, hyper-nationalist media, and political factions that thrive on anti-Pakistan or anti-India sentiment. The aftermath of the 2019 Pulwama attack and now the Pahalgam attack (of April 2025) demonstrated how the provocative acts can push the region to the brink of war.
To prevent such scenarios, both governments must:
- Strengthen Border Mechanisms: Reinforce existing communication channels (such as hotlines between military commanders) to de-escalate tensions swiftly.
- Independent Investigation on Terrorist Attacks: Both sides must ensure independent investigations to terrorist attacks such as Pahalgam and Pulwama.
- Promote Responsible Media: Curb sensationalist and bias reporting that fuels public hostility.
Kashmir: The Core Issue
No discussion on Pakistan-India relations is complete without addressing Kashmir—the primary flashpoint between the two nations since their creation in 1947. The ceasefire will remain fragile unless accompanied by meaningful dialogue on Kashmir. The Kashmiri people’s aspirations, as well as UN resolutions, must guide any lasting solution.
India’s unilateral actions of August 2019—revoking Kashmir’s special status and imposing a military lockdown—further complicated the dispute. Pakistan has rightly called for international intervention, but a solution mediated by neutral parties could also be viable. The U.S., given its influence, could play a constructive role in facilitating talks.
Regional Peace and Economic Connectivity
A sustained ceasefire and eventual resolution of disputes would unlock immense economic potential and regional peace. Trade routes between Pakistan and India, if reopened, could boost regional trade, connecting South Asia to other regions such South East Asia, Central Asia and West Asia. Collaborative efforts on shared challenges—such as climate change, water scarcity, and poverty—would benefit millions in the region.
South Asia under umbrella of SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) remains behind other regions in economic integration due to political tensions between India and Pakistan, the two major regional players. Imagine the economic possibilities and prosperity in the region, if Pakistan and India agreed on a sustainable peace and use even a portion of their military budgets on education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
The current ceasefire is an exceptional opportunity that must not be lost. Both nations should:
- Formalize the truce with clear mechanisms for monitoring violations.
- Resume direct diplomatic negotiations, along with back-channel diplomacy, starting with addressing humanitarian issues (e.g., permission of travel for treatment and cross-border family reunions).
- Engage Kashmiris in dialogue to ensure their rights are upheld.
War is not a solution; it has never been. The people of Pakistan and India deserve peace, prosperity, and a future free from the shadow of conflict and bloodshed. Let this ceasefire be the first step toward that brighter future of people of the region.
Note: Author holds a PhD degree in Political Science and Public Administration from University of Warsaw, Poland. As a security studies expert, he authored various articles on religious sectarianism, extremism, terrorism and counter-narratives and national security.
