Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's recent offer of peace talks with India, made during a visit to Tehran, presents a familiar dilemma in the turbulent relationship between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. Sharif stated that Islamabad is ready to discuss critical issues such as water sharing, counter-terrorism, and the long-standing Kashmir dispute if New Delhi demonstrates seriousness. This offer comes on the heels of heightened military tensions in May 2025, marked by missile and drone strikes across the Line of Control (LoC) following the Pahalgam terror attack in Indian-administered Kashmir.
The question remains: is this a genuine attempt at de-escalation and dialogue, or is it another strategic trap, designed to deflect international pressure and maintain the status quo? History provides a complex and often discouraging perspective.
Over the decades, numerous attempts have been made to normalize relations and resolve outstanding issues between India and Pakistan. High-level meetings, back-channel diplomacy, and confidence-building measures have punctuated periods of intense hostility. For instance, in 2007, the two countries established an Anti-Terrorism Mechanism (ATM) to exchange information and cooperate on counter-terrorism efforts. This followed a meeting between President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in 2006, where both leaders condemned terrorism and agreed to create an institutional framework to address it.
However, these initiatives have often been derailed by subsequent events, particularly terrorist attacks on Indian soil that New Delhi attributes to Pakistan-based groups. The 2008 Mumbai attacks, for example, severely damaged the trust between the two nations and stalled the peace process. India has long maintained that Pakistan needs to take verifiable and irreversible steps to dismantle terrorist infrastructure operating within its borders before any meaningful dialogue can take place.
Sharif's offer includes discussions on counter-terrorism, a point of significant contention. India has consistently accused Pakistan of supporting cross-border terrorism, while Pakistan denies these charges, claiming to be a victim of terrorism itself. This mutual distrust has made it difficult to establish a foundation for genuine cooperation.
The Kashmir dispute remains the core issue. Pakistan has consistently called for a resolution based on UN Security Council resolutions, including a plebiscite to determine the region's future. India, however, maintains that Kashmir is an integral part of India and that any dialogue should be based on the Simla Agreement, which emphasizes bilateral negotiations without third-party intervention.
Moreover, the timing of Sharif's offer raises questions. It follows recent military clashes and India's suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty after the Pahalgam attack, which India blamed on Pakistan-backed militants. India retaliated with strikes on alleged terrorist infrastructure, further escalating tensions. In response to the situation, India has made it clear that any talks with Pakistan will be limited to the return of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and the issue of terrorism.
Given this history, India's skepticism is understandable. There is a deep-seated concern that Pakistan's offers of dialogue are often a tactic to gain international legitimacy while continuing to support or tolerate cross-border terrorism. To consider Sharif's offer seriously, India would likely require concrete evidence of Pakistan's commitment to dismantling terrorist groups and preventing future attacks.
Despite the challenges, the potential benefits of a genuine and sustained dialogue between India and Pakistan are immense. Normalizing trade relations, resolving water disputes, and addressing the Kashmir issue could unlock significant economic and social opportunities for both countries. It could also contribute to regional stability and reduce the risk of future conflicts.
Ultimately, whether Sharif's peace offer is a genuine opportunity or another trap remains to be seen. The burden is on Pakistan to demonstrate its sincerity through verifiable actions. India, while remaining cautious, should also be open to exploring any credible path towards peaceful resolution, keeping in mind the historical context and the need for concrete steps to address its security concerns.
