India and Pakistan: Friends, not enemies

Observer

2 days ago

India and Pakistan were once the same country. Before 1947, there was no border between them. They were part of British India—a large land with many people, cultures, and religions living together. Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, and others lived side by side. They fought together to get freedom from British rule. Leaders like Gandhi, Nehru, Jinnah, and others wanted self-rule. It was not always peaceful, but there was a feeling of unity and shared a future. That history is often forgotten today, but it is important.
In 1947, the British decided to divide the country into two parts—India and Pakistan. This is called the Partition. It was very fast and caused a lot of pain. Millions of people had to leave their homes. More than a million people died. Many families were broken. The Partition left deep wounds and started problems between the two countries. Kashmir became the main issue. India and Pakistan fought wars, and the mistrust grew. But even in those first years, some efforts were made to keep peace. In 1950, the Liaquat–Nehru Pact tried to protect minority communities in both countries.
In 1960, the two countries signed the Indus Waters Treaty with help from the World Bank. It was about sharing river water. Even during wars, the treaty remained in place. This showed that both sides could work together if they wanted to. There were other positive moments too. People travelled across the border. There were cricket matches, cultural events, and artists from both countries worked together. Bollywood movies were popular in Pakistan. Pakistani music and TV shows were liked in India. Writers visited each other's book festivals. These small actions helped people remember that they have a common past and culture.
But the relationship has always been weak. One good step is often followed by a bad one. There have been many problems—like the Kargil war in 1999 and the Mumbai attacks in 2008. The main issues, especially about Kashmir and terrorism, were never solved. This led to the most recent fight. In May 2025, a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, in Indian Kashmir, killed 26 people. India blamed Pakistan-supported militants. In response, India started Operation Sindoor, attacking alleged terrorist camps inside Pakistan. For four days, there were air strikes, drone attacks, and heavy firing. Both sides were close to full war again.
Both governments said they were strong and successful. They used national pride to gain support. But war always brings pain. Soldiers died. Civilians were afraid. There was fear of things getting worse — maybe even nuclear war. A ceasefire was agreed on 10 May, but peace still looks far away. Indian Prime Minister Modi said the operation is 'not over.' This shows that India wants to continue a strong military approach instead of talks.
At the same time, social media made the situation worse. Fake news and videos were shared widely. Both sides used online platforms to spread hate and lies. People believed wrong information. This made it harder for peace to grow because emotions were high and trust was low. Even after the fighting stopped, the damage to people's minds and feelings stayed.
Still, there is hope. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said he is ready for talks. This is not a full solution, but it is a start. Talking is not a weakness. Peace does not mean defeat. Both countries have nuclear weapons. A future war could destroy everything — not just in India and Pakistan, but in the whole region.
India and Pakistan cannot move away from each other. They are neighbours forever. While leaders may argue, the people in both countries still share many things. They speak similar languages. They enjoy the same food and music. They have common history and traditions. This does not mean that problems are not real. But they must be handled with calm minds and smart thinking — not with anger.
This is not only about politics. It is about people. Many families were separated during Partition. Grandparents still tell stories about life in Lahore or Delhi, about friends who were like family. Those memories are still alive. They are not just old stories—they are reminders that peace is possible.
India and Pakistan have fought for too long.
It is time to think differently. What if both countries worked as hard for peace as they did for war? What if the story of Partition ended not in endless fighting, but in understanding? People in both countries want a better life. They deserve a future without fear, with more friendship. They should remember — they were once one. Maybe not again in borders, but in heart and hope.