It has been a year since India and Pakistan clashed in a short but intense conflict, triggered by a terrorist attack in Kashmir that killed 26 civilians.

The violence escalated quickly, with India launching Operation Sindoor and Pakistan responding with Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos, resulting in numerous casualties.Both nations displayed new military capabilities, including cruise missiles, short-range ballistic missiles, and drones.Despite a ceasefire brokered by the Trump administration, mistrust between the two nuclear-armed neighbours remains high.

Politically, the conflict boosted the Pakistani military's influence, particularly that of Syed Asim Munir, who gained prominence both domestically and internationally.In India, the Modi government leveraged the operation as a diplomatic and political win, though concerns about Kashmir’s stability persist.

Regionally, Pakistan strengthened ties with China, Turkey, and the Gulf states, while India struggled to maintain its strategic partnerships, facing strained relations with the US over tariffs and Russian oil purchases.Both nations have issued stern warnings to each other, and key agreements, such as the water-sharing treaty, remain unresolved.

While the ceasefire holds, the underlying tensions, regional power shifts, and low trust suggest the potential for future conflict remains significant.