Former Pakistan foreign minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri has described current India-Pakistan ties as among the worst in history, short of actual war, while expressing hope for sudden positive shifts. Speaking at an event titled ‘Pakistan-India Relations – Current Situation and the Way Forward’ organised by the Institute of Peace and Connectivity (IPAC), Kasuri stressed that dialogue remains the only path forward to resolve long-standing disputes between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
Kasuri noted that historically, even after armed conflicts, both countries resumed dialogue quickly. “It would be a pity if both nations miss the chance for a peaceful resolution, especially since there is already a framework for resolving the Jammu and Kashmir issue in the form of the four-point formula,” he said, referencing a proposal reportedly put forth by former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf.
Kasuri, who served as foreign minister from 2002 to 2007 and is now IPAC’s chairman, said his experience dealing with both BJP and Congress governments under Prime Ministers Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh has made him confident that a silent majority in India still desires peace with Pakistan.
He cited past unexpected developments, such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s surprise visit to Lahore in 2015 and Musharraf’s warm reception in New Delhi despite his role in the Kargil conflict, as examples of how relations can shift quickly. Kasuri also claimed there were credible reports of PM Modi planning a Pakistan visit in 2021 for a pilgrimage and possible talks with then-Prime Minister Imran Khan, underscoring his belief that more such surprises are possible.
Highlighting the geopolitical shifts since Donald Trump’s presidency, Kasuri said these global dynamics could open new doors for India-Pakistan engagement. However, he also cautioned that persistent tensions and terrorism could continue to undermine peace efforts.
“It is unfortunate that Pakistan and India, home to some of the largest numbers of impoverished people globally, continue to lag behind regions like China, Japan, and ASEAN due to their ongoing hostilities,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, author and journalist Ashis Ray advocated for cricket diplomacy and cultural exchanges to break the deadlock. “If ice can melt between the US and Russia, why not between India and Pakistan?” Ray said, urging both sides to start constructive dialogue without delay.
