Opinion | Peace Between India & Pakistan Depends on Pakistan

The future of Indo Pakistani relations ultimately depends on a basic principle. Violence and dialogue cannot go together. As long as terrorism remains part of Pakistan’s strategic approach, distrust and conflict will continue.

Peace in South Asia has remained one of the most discussed yet unresolved subjects of modern geopolitics. Among all the factors that shape stability in the region, the relationship between India and Pakistan occupies the central position. For decades, India has consistently expressed its desire for peaceful coexistence, regional development, economic progress, and stable diplomatic engagement. However, every meaningful attempt at reconciliation has ultimately been obstructed by Pakistan’s policies, particularly its continued support for terrorism, cross border infiltration, and hostile propaganda against India. The reality is simple and unavoidable: peace between the two nations depends largely on Pakistan’s willingness to abandon terrorism and accept peaceful coexistence.

India emerged as an independent nation with democratic foundations, constitutional governance, and a vision of development. Pakistan, on the other hand, struggled for decades with political instability, military interference in governance, radicalization, and the cultivation of extremist networks as strategic tools. This difference in national direction explains much of the mistrust that exists today. While India invested in institutions, education, technology, and global partnerships, Pakistan repeatedly allowed extremist organizations to operate openly within its territory.

The greatest obstacle to peace has been Pakistan’s long standing policy of using terrorism as an instrument of statecraft. From the insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir during the 1990s to the attacks in Mumbai in 2008, India has suffered heavily because of terror groups operating from Pakistani soil. Organizations like Lashkar e Taiba and Jaish e Mohammad have repeatedly targeted innocent civilians and security forces. Even after international pressure and repeated diplomatic engagements, Pakistan has failed to dismantle these terror infrastructures completely.

India has shown patience and maturity despite repeated provocations. Several Indian Prime Ministers extended the hand of friendship to Pakistan. Bus diplomacy, peace talks, ceasefire agreements, cultural exchanges, and trade initiatives were all attempts by India to normalize relations. The Lahore Declaration was seen as a major step towards trust building, but Pakistan responded with the Kargil intrusion soon after. This betrayal severely damaged confidence and exposed the deep contradiction within Pakistan’s establishment where civilian peace initiatives were undermined by military adventurism.

The Pulwama terror attack once again demonstrated the dangers of Pakistan based terrorism. India lost brave security personnel in a cowardly suicide attack orchestrated by terrorists linked to Pakistani groups. India’s response through the Balakot airstrike signaled a new strategic doctrine. India made it clear that terrorism would no longer be tolerated and that the country possessed both the capability and the political will to retaliate against terror infrastructure beyond its borders when necessary.

Despite these provocations, India has never rejected peace permanently. India understands that stable relations between the two nuclear armed neighbors are important for regional prosperity. Economic cooperation, tourism, cultural exchange, energy connectivity, and trade could transform South Asia into one of the most prosperous regions in the world. Yet such possibilities remain hostage to Pakistan’s refusal to change its behavior.

One of the most troubling aspects of Pakistan’s approach is the glorification and protection of extremist elements. Terrorists responsible for attacks against India have often been seen operating freely or receiving indirect protection. This creates a serious credibility crisis. Peace cannot survive when one nation talks diplomacy internationally while allowing anti India networks to flourish domestically. Trust is the foundation of any bilateral relationship, and Pakistan has repeatedly weakened that trust through duplicity.

India’s position on Jammu and Kashmir has also been consistently misrepresented by Pakistan. Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India, and the constitutional decisions taken by the Indian Parliament are entirely internal matters. Pakistan’s repeated attempts to internationalize the issue have found little support globally because the world increasingly recognizes terrorism as the real source of instability in the region. Countries across the world today acknowledge India as a responsible democratic power while Pakistan continues to struggle with its image due to extremism and instability.

Another major difference between the two nations lies in their global outlook. India has emerged as a major economic and technological power with growing influence in international forums. India contributes to global peacekeeping, climate initiatives, innovation, and economic growth. Pakistan, unfortunately, continues to face economic crises, political uncertainty, and dependence on external aid. Instead of focusing on internal reforms and development, significant sections of its establishment remain obsessed with anti India rhetoric. This mindset prevents constructive engagement and damages the future of ordinary Pakistani citizens who deserve stability and prosperity.

The people of India generally desire peace because peace creates opportunities for growth and regional harmony. Indian civilization has historically valued coexistence, pluralism, and dialogue. However, peace cannot exist without security. No sovereign nation can ignore repeated terror attacks against its citizens. Therefore, India’s firm security posture is not aggression but self defense. The responsibility now lies with Pakistan to prove through actions, not speeches, that it genuinely seeks peaceful relations.

If Pakistan dismantles terror networks, stops infiltration across the border, ends radicalization, and respects bilateral agreements, a new chapter in South Asian history can begin. Trade routes can open, tourism can flourish, families divided by borders can reconnect, and regional cooperation can benefit millions. India has both the capacity and willingness to move towards peace, but peace requires sincerity from both sides.

The future of Indo Pakistani relations ultimately depends on a basic principle. Violence and dialogue cannot go together. As long as terrorism remains part of Pakistan’s strategic approach, distrust and conflict will continue. But if Pakistan chooses reform over extremism and development over hostility, genuine peace is possible. India has repeatedly shown restraint, resilience, and readiness for constructive engagement. The next step must come from Pakistan. Only then can South Asia move beyond decades of conflict towards an era of stability, cooperation, and lasting peace.

(aatiflonekashmir@gmail.com)