Hostilities between Pakistan and India over the last five days have resulted in a tense stand-off between both parties. Indian government representatives have reiterated their right to defend itself, since the terrorist incident in Indian Administered Kashmir on the 22nd of April 2025, leaving 25 tourists dead.
Cross border attacks over the disputed borders in Kashmir have lasted since partition in 1947. Notable confrontations are the 1965 failed attempt by Pakistan to stir up Kashmiri opposition (Operation Gibraltar – Time) and in 1999 where a coalition of Kashmir based separatist groups and Pakistan Army personnel took over disputed areas resulting in retaliatory attacks by Indian forces.
Water has been at the heart of issues between the two nuclear armed nations. The Indus Water treaty, negotiated and implemented by the World Bank in 1960, now being disputed by India (The Economic Times 9/5/25), has brought hostilities to a new level. Pakistan under the negotiated treaty, held 70% of rights to water primarily flowing from the Himilayers and Kashmir Valley. Pakistan takes a majority of its water from the Indus River, and will be affected by any disruption. Indias PM Narendra Modi over the past few days, stated that India will divert the flow of major rivers away from ‘international borders’ (BBC 7/5/25)
It seems that with continued hostilities and restrictions on water continuing, with 80% of Pakistans farms being irrigated by water from the Indus River, Water issues may cause considerable food and water insecurity in Pakistan. The the oncoming monsoons may give respite to issues, but with the needs for constant irrigation and on coming hot temperatures exceeding 35c, Pakistan may
Attention also points to continued hostilities towards the muslim population of India. During the tenure of the present Prime Minister of India, there have been a significant increase in attacks on mosques (Aljazeera, 18/4/23) and in recent times attacks on Muslim minorities. In 2019, 53 muslims were killed following the introduction of the ultra nationalist governments citizenship law, discriminating against the muslim population.
Ad-dameer charity continues to monitor the ongoing situation since the introduction of a fragile peace initiative on the 10th of May 2025. It is a fragile peace, where both countries have accused the other of violating the ceasefire, and water restrictions seem to be still in place. (Reuters 10/5/25)
