In 2025, South Asia witnessed one of its most severe geopolitical crises in decades as tensions between India and Pakistan escalated into open conflict. The war, triggered by a series of border skirmishes and political miscalculations, marks a dangerous chapter in the long-standing rivalry between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. While the conflict did not escalate to the use of nuclear weapons, the conventional war has had significant regional and global consequences.
Background of Tensions
India and Pakistan have a history of strained relations since their partition in 1947. Key flashpoints like Kashmir, cross-border terrorism, and historical grievances have led to several wars and countless skirmishes. In the years leading up to 2025, rising nationalism, political instability in Pakistan, and aggressive posturing by both governments further strained ties. A deadly terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir in early 2025, allegedly backed by Pakistan-based militants, was the final spark that ignited the war.