Relationship dossier
India
Pakistan
Relationship assessment
A deeply adversarial relationship, with Kashmir disputes and recurring security crises tempered by limited conflict-management arrangements.
India toward Pakistan
-75India has used military force against targets in Pakistan during major crises, including the 2019 Balakot airstrike, and has repeatedly accused Pakistan of supporting cross-border militancy. India and Pakistan have also maintained conflict-management arrangements, including the Simla Agreement and a reaffirmed ceasefire along the Line of Control.
Pakistan toward India
-75Pakistan has maintained its claim over Kashmir and has repeatedly challenged Indian control there; India has accused Pakistan of supporting militant activity across the border. Pakistan has also participated in conflict-management measures, including the Simla Agreement and the 2021 reaffirmation of the Line of Control ceasefire, and returned an Indian pilot captured during the 2019 crisis.
Overall relationship
-75The enduring relationship is dominated by the unresolved Kashmir dispute, a history of wars and military crises, and persistent mutual security accusations. Agreements such as the Simla Agreement and ceasefire arrangements have helped contain some risks, but have not produced a lasting settlement or consistently stable political engagement.
How to read these scores
Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.
- −100
- Extreme sustained hostility
- −50
- Substantially adversarial
- 0
- Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
- +50
- Substantially cooperative
- +100
- Exceptionally close sustained partnership
“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.
Relationship context
Overview
India and Pakistan have a deeply adversarial relationship shaped by competing claims over Kashmir, repeated wars and crises, and persistent allegations of cross-border militancy. The 1972 Simla Agreement and a 2021 reaffirmation of the ceasefire along the Line of Control provide frameworks for managing conflict, but have not resolved the core disputes. Episodes of military escalation have repeatedly strained bilateral ties.
Areas of tension
- Competing claims over Jammu and Kashmir
- Indian allegations of Pakistani support for cross-border militancy
- Military incidents and escalation along the Line of Control
- Recurring breakdowns in political dialogue and bilateral relations
Key developments
The Simla Agreement set out principles for resolving disputes peacefully and established the Line of Control in Kashmir.
After the 2019 military crisis, Pakistan returned captured Indian pilot Abhinandan Varthaman.
The two militaries reaffirmed their commitment to the ceasefire along the Line of Control.
Major uncertainties
- The scope and implementation of bilateral confidence-building measures remain unclear.
- The durability of ceasefire arrangements and the prospects for sustained political dialogue are uncertain.