A Fragile Calm

SOUTH Asia has stepped back from the brink of war with the announcement of a ceasefire by India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri. What threatened to spiral into a full-blown conflict between nuclear-armed neighbours, India and Pakistan, has, for now, given way to a fragile calm.

- Seema Guha

This wasn’t just another routine border skirmish—it was a calibrated escalation with global implications, unfolding amid a period of heightened geopolitical uncertainty.

The recent flare-up has not only tested the limits of deterrence, but also redrawn the invisible redlines that govern South Asia's uneasy peace.

The signs of confrontation were unmistakable: precision missile and drone strikes, claims of shooting down advanced aircraft, fears of cyber-attacks, and the pounding of border villages by artillery and mortar fire. Cities braced for the worst with blackouts and sirens, while civilians in forward areas paid the heaviest price. Evacuation orders, civilian casualties, and a palpable sense of fear defined those tense days.

Now, as the guns fall silent and diplomatic backchannels engage, the region pauses to take stock. The recent flare-up has not only tested the limits of deterrence, but also redrawn the invisible redlines that govern South Asia’s uneasy peace. And for ordinary citizens on both sides, the question remains: not just what happens next, but whether the respite will last.

USA’s Role

The US worked out the ceasefire just when India-Pakistan appeared to be heading for a full-blown war. Hours before either India or Pakistan formally announced a stop to the fighting, US President Donald Trump took to his social media platform: “After a long night of talks mediated by the United States, I am pleased to announce that India and Pakistan have agreed to a FULL AND IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE. Congratulations to both Countries on using Common Sense and Great Intelligence. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”