17 Jul It Is Not All Bad Between India and Pakistan
Why in the News?
The article argues that despite decades of hostility and terrorism, India and Pakistan have periodically demonstrated restraint during conflicts and maintained limited cooperation, indicating that dialogue remains possible if Pakistan takes credible action against terrorism.
Key Highlights
1. India-Pakistan Relations: Conflict and Cooperation
- India-Pakistan relations are often viewed only through the lens of wars and terrorism.
- However, history also records several instances of:
- Military restraint
- Diplomatic engagement
- Confidence-building measures (CBMs)
- Security cooperation
- Terrorism has remained the biggest obstacle to sustainable peace.
2. Military Restraint During Wars
The article argues that even during the wars of 1947–48, 1965 and 1971, both countries generally avoided deliberate attacks on major civilian population centres.
Key observations include:
- Military operations largely focused on strategic and military targets.
- Compared to many twentieth-century wars elsewhere, civilian destruction remained relatively limited.
- The article presents this as evidence that both militaries historically exercised a degree of restraint despite intense conflict.
3. Cooperation Against Terrorism
Despite mutual distrust, there have been occasions of intelligence and security cooperation.
Examples mentioned include:
- Pakistan’s actions against terror groups after assassination attempts on General Pervez Musharraf.
- Cooperation following the 2008 Mumbai (26/11) attacks, though political differences later prevented meaningful progress.
- Periodic intelligence exchanges in matters affecting both countries’ security.
However, terrorism has repeatedly undermined trust and derailed diplomatic initiatives.
4. Diplomatic Engagements
The article cites several attempts at improving bilateral relations:
- Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s peace initiatives.
- Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s dialogue process.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Lahore in December 2015.
- Various meetings between political leaders aimed at restoring communication.
Most initiatives eventually stalled following major terrorist attacks.
5. Nuclear Confidence-Building Measures (CBMs)
One of the most successful areas of cooperation has been nuclear risk reduction.
Important features include:
- The 2005 Nuclear Confidence-Building Agreement continues to function.
- Regular communication mechanisms remain operational.
- Even during periods of heightened tensions, both countries have largely respected nuclear safety protocols.
The article cites the 2022 accidental missile launch into Pakistan as an example where institutional communication helped prevent escalation.
6. Impact of Terrorism
The article identifies terrorism as the principal reason for deterioration in bilateral relations.
According to the author:
- Terrorist attacks shifted conflict from conventional military rivalry to civilian targeting.
- Incidents such as the Pahalgam attack (2025) reinforce India’s concerns regarding cross-border terrorism.
- Pakistan itself has suffered significantly from extremist groups it once supported.
7. Areas for Future Cooperation
The article suggests cooperation can continue in non-traditional security areas such as:
- Climate change
- Glacier conservation
- Water management
- Counter-narcotics
- Trade and connectivity
- Disaster management
Such cooperation could build confidence while political disputes remain unresolved.
8. Preconditions for Lasting Peace
According to the article, meaningful improvement requires:
- Credible action by Pakistan against terrorist groups.
- Ending state support for cross-border terrorism.
- Building trust through sustained dialogue.
- Expanding economic and people-to-people engagement.
- Exploring future negotiations on outstanding bilateral issues, including water cooperation.
UPSC Relevance
GS Paper II
- India and its Neighbourhood
- Bilateral Relations
- Confidence Building Measures
- Cross-Border Terrorism
- Regional Security
GS Paper III
- Internal Security
- Terrorism
- Border Management
- Strategic Affairs
Essay Topics
- Peace through dialogue in South Asia.
- Terrorism and regional stability.
- India’s neighbourhood policy: Challenges and opportunities.
Key Terms
Confidence-Building Measures (CBMs)
Actions undertaken by rival states to reduce misunderstandings, increase transparency and prevent accidental military escalation.
Composite Dialogue
A structured bilateral dialogue process covering multiple issues such as peace and security, Jammu & Kashmir, trade, water, terrorism and cultural exchanges.
Cross-Border Terrorism
Support, financing or facilitation of terrorist activities across international borders by state or non-state actors.
Way Forward
India should continue pursuing a calibrated neighbourhood policy that combines firm counter-terrorism measures with selective diplomatic engagement. Confidence-building measures, humanitarian cooperation and economic connectivity can contribute to regional stability, but durable peace will depend on Pakistan taking verifiable action against terrorism and honouring bilateral commitments.
UPSC Prelims Practice Question
Q. With reference to Confidence-Building Measures (CBMs) between India and Pakistan, consider the following statements:
- The 2005 India-Pakistan Nuclear Confidence-Building Agreement continues to remain operational despite periods of bilateral tension.
- Confidence-Building Measures primarily aim to reduce the risk of accidental military escalation and improve communication between rival states.
- The Indus Waters Treaty was signed after the Simla Agreement of 1972.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (a)
Explanation (Statement-wise)
Statement 1: Correct.
The 2005 Nuclear Confidence-Building Agreement remains one of the few functioning institutional arrangements between India and Pakistan. It facilitates communication on nuclear-related issues and has continued despite fluctuations in bilateral relations.
Statement 2: Correct.
Confidence-Building Measures (CBMs) are designed to reduce mistrust, improve military transparency, prevent accidental conflicts, and establish communication channels between rival countries. Examples include military hotlines, advance notification of missile tests, and nuclear risk-reduction mechanisms.
Statement 3: Incorrect.
The Indus Waters Treaty was signed in 1960 between India and Pakistan under the auspices of the World Bank, whereas the Simla Agreement was signed in 1972 following the 1971 India-Pakistan War. Therefore, the treaty predates the Simla Agreement.
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