Here, and There

India and Pakistan share one of the most militarised borders in the world.

- (Compiled by Ainnie Arif)

Both countries employ extensive surveillance tools. Both pour millions into their defence budgets, maintain thousands of troops across the Line of Control (LoC) and the border, and even station them at altitudes above 20,000 feet—at the Himalayan Siachen Glacier. Over the decades, the neighbours have experienced ceasefire violations, diplomatic disputes and territorial disagreements—the latest escalation being the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack in Kashmir, triggering the retaliatory Operation Sindoor by India. Eventually, on May 10, a ceasefire was declared, de-escalating the crossfire between India and Pakistan.

1947: Standstill Agreement Over the Indus

The Partition in 1947 bifurcated the Indus River system, which was crucial for irrigation. The short-term Standstill Agreement was signed to allow the flow of water from India to Pakistan. After the agreement expired, by April 1, 1948, India started to withhold water from the Indus canals. However, the Inter-Dominion Accord of May 4, 1948, mandated India to provide water to Pakistan in return for annual payments.

1949: Karachi Agreement