A coordinated peace initiative by 117 prominent political leaders, former diplomats, academics and civil society figures from India and Pakistan has brought renewed focus to the future of bilateral ties, with signatories urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to restart formal dialogue, address the Kashmir dispute, and reverse years of diplomatic and economic disengagement.
The open letter, led by O.P. Shah, chairman of the Centre for Peace and Progress, has emerged as one of the most significant civil society interventions in South Asia in recent years. Signed by 61 Indians and 56 Pakistanis, the appeal seeks immediate confidence-building measures including the restoration of High Commissioners, resumption of trade, reopening of airspace, revival of transport links, easier visa access, and broader people-to-people exchanges.
The initiative comes at a time when relations between the two nuclear-armed neighbours remain deeply strained, with formal diplomatic engagement largely frozen since 2019. The letter places Jammu and Kashmir at the centre of its appeal, describing dialogue as essential to regional peace and warning that prolonged hostility continues to impose severe economic, political and humanitarian costs on nearly two billion people across the subcontinent.
The signatories argue that despite decades of military confrontation, there remains an urgent need to rebuild communication channels, reduce mistrust and create political space for a long-term settlement on unresolved disputes.
Civil Society Steps In
The letter has drawn support from a wide range of influential figures, reflecting an unusual convergence of voices across political, academic and diplomatic circles.
From India, signatories include National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah, Peoples Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti, and Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. From Pakistan, the list includes former Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri, former diplomat Ashraf Jehangir Qazi, and noted physicist Pervez Hoodbhoy.
The signatories describe the worsening India-Pakistan relationship as a strategic failure that has affected generations of people on both sides of the border.
“India and Pakistan together account for nearly one-fifth of humanity. Continued hostility serves neither peace nor prosperity and has imposed immense suffering on ordinary citizens,” the letter states.
O.P. Shah, who coordinated the initiative, said the objective was to create public momentum for peace at a time when official channels remain closed.
“Civil society cannot replace governments, but it can remind governments that peace remains a public demand,” Shah said.
The appeal reflects growing concern that the absence of dialogue has left South Asia increasingly vulnerable to conflict, economic stagnation and diplomatic isolation.
Kashmir Back at the Centre
At the core of the letter is Jammu and Kashmir, the issue that has defined India-Pakistan relations since 1947 and remains the most sensitive point of conflict between the two countries.
The signatories have called for comprehensive discussions on all outstanding disputes, with Kashmir identified as central to any durable peace framework. The letter specifically calls for de-escalation, reduction of military tensions and a political process that addresses the aspirations of affected populations while respecting security concerns.
The renewed emphasis on Kashmir comes amid continuing political uncertainty in the region following the revocation of Article 370 in August 2019, which ended Jammu and Kashmir’s special constitutional status.
India has maintained that the move was an internal constitutional matter, while Pakistan has continued to raise concerns at international forums.
Mehbooba Mufti recently repeated her call for dialogue, saying military approaches alone cannot resolve the issue.
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq also stressed that political outreach remains necessary.
“History has shown that conflict cannot erase political realities. Dialogue remains essential,” he said.
The letter revives attention to the backchannel diplomacy of 2004 to 2007, widely regarded as one of the closest moments to a possible settlement between the two countries.
Rebuild Broken Channels
Beyond Kashmir, the letter strongly focuses on rebuilding practical and humanitarian links that have collapsed over the past several years.
The signatories have called for the restoration of High Commissioners in both capitals, describing diplomatic representation as the first step toward rebuilding formal communication.
Visa services, which remain heavily restricted, are also a major concern. The letter calls for easier travel access, particularly for divided families, students, scholars and journalists.
Transport and connectivity are another key demand. The signatories have urged the reopening of airspace and the revival of suspended bus and rail services, many of which once served as important lifelines for cross-border communities.
Trade restoration is also central to the appeal. Bilateral trade, once worth billions of dollars, has remained suspended since 2019, hurting businesses and increasing costs in both countries.
The letter also stresses the importance of religious and cultural access.
“Pilgrimage routes and cultural exchanges should never become casualties of political confrontation,” the appeal states.
This includes easier travel to Sikh shrines in Pakistan, Hindu temples, and Sufi religious sites visited by people across both countries.
The signatories argue that these steps would restore trust at a human level, where diplomatic tensions often leave the deepest scars.
Why Ties Collapsed
Relations between India and Pakistan sharply deteriorated after the Pulwama suicide bombing in February 2019, in which 40 Indian paramilitary personnel were killed. India blamed Pakistan-based militant group Jaish-e-Mohammed, leading to retaliatory airstrikes in Balakot.
The crisis pushed both countries close to war and marked a major turning point in bilateral relations.
Later that year, India’s decision to revoke Article 370 triggered a fresh diplomatic breakdown. Pakistan downgraded diplomatic ties, suspended trade and launched international campaigns against the move.
Since then, official dialogue has remained almost entirely frozen.
Although a ceasefire agreement along the Line of Control was reaffirmed in 2021, broader political engagement has not resumed.
Tensions have continued over cross-border militancy, border violations, and water-sharing under the Indus Waters Treaty.
India has repeatedly stated that terrorism remains the biggest obstacle to peace.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri recently reiterated the government’s position.
“Any future engagement will depend on an atmosphere free of terror and violence,” he said.
Pakistan, meanwhile, continues to insist that Kashmir and regional peace must be addressed together.
Can This Change Anything?
The immediate impact of the letter on official policy remains uncertain, but analysts say its broader significance lies in timing, symbolism and the profile of its signatories.
At a time when official diplomatic channels are minimal, the letter reintroduces the argument that dialogue remains the only workable option for avoiding future crises.
It also reflects concerns over the economic cost of continued hostility. South Asia remains one of the least integrated regions in the world despite its geographical and cultural proximity.
The signatories warn that prolonged confrontation is hurting younger generations most.
“Millions of young people in both countries are being denied opportunities for growth, education and stability because of unresolved political conflict,” the letter says.
For both governments, the challenge remains balancing domestic political realities with regional strategic interests.
India’s current position remains firmly focused on security and terrorism, while Pakistan continues to seek wider political engagement.
Yet the letter underlines a persistent truth. Even after decades of wars, crises and failed negotiations, there remains a powerful constituency on both sides of the border that believes peace is still possible.
Whether New Delhi and Islamabad respond remains unclear. But the latest appeal has reopened an old and urgent question: whether South Asia can afford to continue without dialogue.
