As of May 6th, 2025, India and Pakistan engaged in what is recorded as the most intense military conflict since their last war in 1999. Recent events sparked reactions from around the world, gaining particular attention from China, Russia, the United Kingdom, the United States, and surrounding regions of the conflict.
Before reviewing the latest events, it is important to consider the background of the two countries. India and Pakistan have a long history of conflicts, dating back to when they gained independence from Britain in 1947, followed by the partition when the country decided to split. This event divided the two nations based on religion, as many of the Muslim people moved to Pakistan and the Hindus settled in India. Ever since the partition, there have been multiple territorial disputes over one region in particular: Kashmir.
Kashmir is a highly militarized northern state of India. It directly neighbors Pakistan with the Karakoram Mountain Range lining the border. Kashmir is a mixed state, with around 97% of the population being Muslim and about 3% being Hindu. The Kashmiri people coexist together, with many citizens satisfied being a part of India, some desiring to coalesce with Pakistan, and others wanting independence from both. Despite Kashmir’s original choice to be a part of India, Pakistan and India constantly debate over who the land rightfully belongs to.
India and Pakistan’s first war in 1947 ended with Pakistani forces occupying a third of Kashmir. Terms were never truly settled, and so the countries went to war again in 1965. The second war ended with a UN-mediated ceasefire in 1965. These wars had no notable outcomes except for heavy casualties on both sides. Now, with the latest conflicts, both governments are reattempting to sort out the controversy over Kashmir.
The recent reaction from India was provoked by a militant attack on Indian tourists in Phalgam, Kashmir. Phalgham is appreciated for its scenic mountains and local tours of the land. The attack on the tourists happened on one of these tours, in the mountains of Kashmir. India deemed the attack an act of terrorism because it was a militant attack targeted at men of the Hindu religion, resulting in many casualties. It ultimately provoked both India and Pakistan to take further action against each other.
Amidst the bombing and exchange of gunfire, US President Donald Trump claimed to mediate a ceasefire treaty between the two countries. Twelve days later, Pakistan broke that treaty by bombing the Indian military outpost close to the Line of Control (LoC), a border of soldiers near the border. The attack reignited the conflicts between the two countries, as India responded within hours by launching an aerial strike on suspected Pakistani militant bases across the LoC. The US State Department urged both nations to exercise restraint and return to diplomatic means of resolving conflict.
The US has not explicitly shown any support to either side, but rather approached the tensions without showing bias. According to the US Embassy, the US and India are close allies, relying on each other for trade and collaborating on defense and technological advancements. US-Pakistan relations have had a more complicated history, mainly due to the US’s involvement and withdrawal from Afghanistan, and Pakistan’s close ties with China, the US’s rival. Regardless, the US has been careful to approach the situation with neutrality to avoid further escalation.
India and Pakistan’s newest hostilities have stirred reactions from other countries in the surrounding region, like China and Russia. China is a long-time strategic ally of Pakistan and an economic partner of India. It expressed concern over the escalation between the two countries and even increased military preparedness along its own borders with India. Despite historically backing Pakistan in global forums, China avoided direct support for either side, unwilling to damage its trade relations with India. Similarly, Russia took a rather neutral stance, as their President, Vladimir Putin, emphasized the importance of de-escalation through having diplomatic discussions.
The current conflict between India and Pakistan has proven to be the most intense military engagement between the two nuclear-armed neighbors in 26 years. Though temporary ceasefires and aerial bombings may sway tensions, the core issue, the status of Kashmir, remains unresolved.
Sources:
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