Will Pakistan and India relations improve in 2026?

[Ball Blazer]

In 2025, relations between India and Pakistan plunged into their worst crisis in decades. Following a deadly attack in Pahalgam, New Delhi suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, shut the Wagah–Attari border and withdrew diplomatic staff — moves that triggered Islamabad to close its airspace, suspend trade and suspend the Simla Agreement.

The escalation peaked when India launched Operation Sindoor, launching air and missile strikes on 7 May, prompting Pakistan retaliation; the conflict, which shocked the region and involved drone and missile exchanges, only ended after a U.S.-brokered ceasefire on 10 May.

These events severely damaged trust: cultural exchanges all but vanished, visa bans and trade halts remained, and cross-border people-to-people ties froze.

Still, some diplomatic voices, like those at the think-tank IPAC, called for renewed talks and long-term dialogue rather than constant conflict.

Looking ahead to 2026, the prospects for genuinely improved India-Pakistan relations depend on both pragmatism and political will — but the path will be extremely narrow. Given how quickly tensions flared in 2025 and how deeply bilateral trust was shattered, returning to even a fragile normal may require careful, step-by-step rebuilding through low-stakes confidence-building measures: think humanitarian cooperation, water talks, or cultural back-channels.

If both governments resist the temptation to leverage bilateral ties for domestic political gains and instead prioritise stability, there remains a sliver of hope for moderated tensions and conditional reconciliation. However, any fresh security incident — terror attack or border clash — risks undoing progress instantly, so 2026 could be a year of delicate calm or sudden flashpoints.

 

[straighttalk]

In 2025, relations between India and Pakistan plunged into their worst crisis in decades. Following a deadly attack in Pahalgam, New Delhi suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, shut the Wagah–Attari border and withdrew diplomatic staff — moves that triggered Islamabad to close its airspace, suspend trade and suspend the Simla Agreement.

The escalation peaked when India launched Operation Sindoor, launching air and missile strikes on 7 May, prompting Pakistan retaliation; the conflict, which shocked the region and involved drone and missile exchanges, only ended after a U.S.-brokered ceasefire on 10 May.

These events severely damaged trust: cultural exchanges all but vanished, visa bans and trade halts remained, and cross-border people-to-people ties froze.

Still, some diplomatic voices, like those at the think-tank IPAC, called for renewed talks and long-term dialogue rather than constant conflict.

Looking ahead to 2026, the prospects for genuinely improved India-Pakistan relations depend on both pragmatism and political will — but the path will be extremely narrow. Given how quickly tensions flared in 2025 and how deeply bilateral trust was shattered, returning to even a fragile normal may require careful, step-by-step rebuilding through low-stakes confidence-building measures: think humanitarian cooperation, water talks, or cultural back-channels.

If both governments resist the temptation to leverage bilateral ties for domestic political gains and instead prioritise stability, there remains a sliver of hope for moderated tensions and conditional reconciliation. However, any fresh security incident — terror attack or border clash — risks undoing progress instantly, so 2026 could be a year of delicate calm or sudden flashpoints.

Zero chance of improvement with Munir in total control. I see Bangladesh as being used as proxy..so stupid of them. Relations will either be verbal volleys and God forbid another terror attack happens ..then the response will lead to another conflict. Don't think this time it will be limited to four days as it's pretty obvious...every terror attack has seen more escalated response from India. With the terror groups now dispersing and hiding further inside pakistan .the stakes are higher. Terrorism need to really end for dialog and IWT to be resolved. Kashmir is a dead issue...there is 0 chance of Pakistan getting it...and India has no interest in POK..so better to freeze the border but then who will Munir use to loot his country.

 

[sweep_shot]

As long as chaiwala Modi and BJP/RSS are in power, improvement is unlikely.

 

[Hitman]

Live, and let live. That's the best solution.

 

[Varun]

Good relations in the current context basically mean both having nothing to do with each other.

 

[Bhaijaan]

Dhurandhar 2 is coming in April 2026

 

[emranabbas]

Zero chance of improvement with Munir in total control. I see Bangladesh as being used as proxy..so stupid of them. Relations will either be verbal volleys and God forbid another terror attack happens ..then the response will lead to another conflict. Don't think this time it will be limited to four days as it's pretty obvious...every terror attack has seen more escalated response from India. With the terror groups now dispersing and hiding further inside pakistan .the stakes are higher. Terrorism need to really end for dialog and IWT to be resolved. Kashmir is a dead issue...there is 0 chance of Pakistan getting it...and India has no interest in POK..so better to freeze the border but then who will Munir use to loot his country.

No, that’s not correct the terrorist attacks are your own doing.

The majority of these terrorists operate out of KPK and the Afghan border regions which are mainly anti pakistan, many of them originally from Afghanistan the same Afghanistan that India funds.

1 - India funds Afghanistan,

2 - elements within Afghanistan support militants in the KPK–Afghan belt,

3- those militants then carry out attacks in both Pakistan and India.

4 - india cries and blames pakistan

5 - back to step 1 again

In that sense, India plays a central role in sustaining this cycle

If india don't fund Afghanistan next year there will be no attacks on india or pakistan next year

 

[DeadlyVenom]

Zero chance of improvement with Munir in total control. I see Bangladesh as being used as proxy..so stupid of them. Relations will either be verbal volleys and God forbid another terror attack happens ..then the response will lead to another conflict. Don't think this time it will be limited to four days as it's pretty obvious...every terror attack has seen more escalated response from India. With the terror groups now dispersing and hiding further inside pakistan .the stakes are higher. Terrorism need to really end for dialog and IWT to be resolved. Kashmir is a dead issue...there is 0 chance of Pakistan getting it...and India has no interest in POK..so better to freeze the border but then who will Munir use to loot his country.

The last few years have been the first that I have seen Indian politicians mention taking over the Pakistani side of Kashmir. Very hawkish Indians that post here have also started saying it more recently. The pro confrontation voices certainly seem louder in India than Pakistan.

Bangladesh being able to be used as a proxy ( devoid of Indian influence) is enough of a victory in the eyes of Pakistan. No need to actually do anything, Bangladeshis aren't too willing either.

Another terror attack has already happened. Indians cleverly blamed indigenous Kashmiris and some Turkish handlers. You will disagree and have disagreed in the past, but I believe the Pahalgam attacks were also by indigenous groups, before India jumped the gun. This time they decided against it, knowing that launching an attack has some repurcussion. Again, you will dispute the extent of the repurcussions but at the very least it is clear things didnt quite go totally to India's plan and they will be hesitant to risk anything again.

Munirs is positioning himself as a statesman. Rather than engaging in direct conflicts I believe he will be pinning his hopes on western countries seeing him a stable and sensible person in a volatile region, and him positioning Pak army with defence positions in middle east and Africa.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Dhurandhar 2 is coming in April 2026

Border 2 is releasing in January 2026.

Dhurandhar 3 is set to release in December 2026 and will be inspired by Sajid Akram and Naveed Akram.

 

[Devadwal]

Untill Pakistan ruled by Millitary dictatorship there will be never peace between India and Pakistan.

Their livelihood depends on hostility towards India.

 

[Hitman]

You improve relations with them, they'll gift you another Kargil 99'.

 

[emranabbas]

Untill Pakistan ruled by Millitary dictatorship there will be never peace between India and Pakistan.

Their livelihood depends on hostility towards India.

You improve relations with them, they'll gift you another Kargil 99'.

No, that’s not true. Most of the attacks are caused from the KPK AFGHAN region terrorists

Many militant groups operate from KPK and the Afghan border areas. A lot of them are anti-Pakistan, and many originally come from Afghanistan.

India gives money and support to Afghanistan. Some people in Afghanistan then help or protect these militant groups near the border. Those same militants later carry out attacks in both Pakistan and India.

So the pattern is simple:
India funds Afghanistan → some of that support reaches militants → militants attack both countries.

If India stopped funding Afghanistan, this chain would be broken, and attacks in both Pakistan and India would reduce greatly, or even stop.

 

[straighttalk]

No, that’s not correct the terrorist attacks are your own doing.

The majority of these terrorists operate out of KPK and the Afghan border regions which are mainly anti pakistan, many of them originally from Afghanistan the same Afghanistan that India funds.

1 - India funds Afghanistan,

2 - elements within Afghanistan support militants in the KPK–Afghan belt,

3- those militants then carry out attacks in both Pakistan and India.

4 - india cries and blames pakistan

5 - back to step 1 again

In that sense, India plays a central role in sustaining this cycle

If india don't fund Afghanistan next year there will be no attacks on india or pakistan next year

Ok...glad you believe in this and buy this
But that's not what your leaders say
Musharraf admitted to be a terror sponsor
You created armed and funded Taliban
You were excited when Taliban came to power
Your govt banned let jem etf under us pressure
You were banned under fatf
Every terrorists is protected by Paksitan ..including Osama who was caught red handed.
Your leaders stood behind a UN terrorist
Your defense minister admitted to doing the dirty work for money or fear

Now where is your proof for the fantasy you generated in your post.

Don't consider the world as gullible as you to believe stupid propaganda

 

[straighttalk]

The last few years have been the first that I have seen Indian politicians mention taking over the Pakistani side of Kashmir. Very hawkish Indians that post here have also started saying it more recently. The pro confrontation voices certainly seem louder in India than Pakistan.

Bangladesh being able to be used as a proxy ( devoid of Indian influence) is enough of a victory in the eyes of Pakistan. No need to actually do anything, Bangladeshis aren't too willing either.

Another terror attack has already happened. Indians cleverly blamed indigenous Kashmiris and some Turkish handlers. You will disagree and have disagreed in the past, but I believe the Pahalgam attacks were also by indigenous groups, before India jumped the gun. This time they decided against it, knowing that launching an attack has some repurcussion. Again, you will dispute the extent of the repurcussions but at the very least it is clear things didnt quite go totally to India's plan and they will be hesitant to risk anything again.

Munirs is positioning himself as a statesman. Rather than engaging in direct conflicts I believe he will be pinning his hopes on western countries seeing him a stable and sensible person in a volatile region, and him positioning Pak army with defence positions in middle east and Africa.

It is India's stated position that Kashmir is legally India's...but there is no penchant...it's not an issue as Kashmir is to Paksitan. If there is a war it would be much better to take Sindh etc which are easier to access and provide benefits. The people of POK are extremely hostile and the terrain is really hard for any real invasion. Attacking and liberating a country is easy...holding it is extremely tough as superpowers have found. Zero practical example.

You still sell and blv the lie that India did false flag and wrongly blames Pakistan. When it doesn't you say India didn't have guts. There was 0 repurcuasion for Sindoor which was a massive success honestly on every parameter...losing a jet is part and parcel. Pity your forces have a very low standard to consider shooting a jet a victory. Anyhow before this there were IM attacks and train blasts where Pak was not blamed. It's because there are attacks done by pak terrorists crossing the border versus Kashmiri militants or domestic people indirectly supported by Pakistan.

Munir is a tinpot dictator..who loots the country and steals election. His every utterance is against India and like all Pak military dictators his survival depends on Indian enimity. Jus look at your history 65 Zia 99 and now. Honestly there is nothing economically and militarily Paksitan can do to India. Indian is geographically larger. There will be battle setbacks for sure ..Pak is strong but India can simply tolerate a longer and more brutal war...that by itself means Pak has to either stand down or use nukes.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

It is India's stated position that Kashmir is legally India's...but there is no penchant...it's not an issue as Kashmir is to Paksitan. If there is a war it would be much better to take Sindh etc which are easier to access and provide benefits. The people of POK are extremely hostile and the terrain is really hard for any real invasion. Attacking and liberating a country is easy...holding it is extremely tough as superpowers have found. Zero practical example.

You still sell and blv the lie that India did false flag and wrongly blames Pakistan. When it doesn't you say India didn't have guts. There was 0 repurcuasion for Sindoor which was a massive success honestly on every parameter...losing a jet is part and parcel. Pity your forces have a very low standard to consider shooting a jet a victory. Anyhow before this there were IM attacks and train blasts where Pak was not blamed. It's because there are attacks done by pak terrorists crossing the border versus Kashmiri militants or domestic people indirectly supported by Pakistan.

Munir is a tinpot dictator..who loots the country and steals election. His every utterance is against India and like all Pak military dictators his survival depends on Indian enimity. Jus look at your history 65 Zia 99 and now. Honestly there is nothing economically and militarily Paksitan can do to India. Indian is geographically larger. There will be battle setbacks for sure ..Pak is strong but India can simply tolerate a longer and more brutal war...that by itself means Pak has to either stand down or use nukes.

No I don't believe Pahalgam was a false flag. I believe it was carried out by Kashmiris with no Pakistani input. I am not a fan of false flag theories. It is a shame that whenever an attack happens many people default is to just blame the victim. I do believe that Indias blame of Pakistan was incorrect though.

Sindoor was no success, it has left India cornered, intnationalised Kashmir issue and Modi being humiliated from Washington to Beijing

 

[Rajdeep]

The situation and relation between the two countries were pretty decent at the start of 2025. I was actually in favour of Indian team travelling to Pakistan for Champions Trophy. Pakistan also gave celebrity welcome to Vikrant Gupta and Nikhil Naz. Players were also hugging and doing bhangra with each other.

All changed from the day Asim Munir made that comment openly against Hindus and the orchestrated that terrorist attack in Pahalgam to get himself promoted to Field Marshal post. This followed by what Moshin Naqvi did during Asia cup. He was ACC head but was acting like 2 rupee twitter troll. Also ran away with the trophy even after his team lost 3 times straight.

So lot of bad blood between two nations and I dont think in 2026 there will be any good relation.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

The situation and relation between the two countries were pretty decent at the start of 2025. I was actually in favour of Indian team travelling to Pakistan for Champions Trophy. Pakistan also gave celebrity welcome to Vikrant Gupta and Nikhil Naz. Players were also hugging and doing bhangra with each other.

When you want them to play. They boycott.
When you want them to boycott they play

 

[Devadwal]

The situation and relation between the two countries were pretty decent at the start of 2025. I was actually in favour of Indian team travelling to Pakistan for Champions Trophy. Pakistan also gave celebrity welcome to Vikrant Gupta and Nikhil Naz. Players were also hugging and doing bhangra with each other.

All changed from the day Asim Munir made that comment openly against Hindus and the orchestrated that terrorist attack in Pahalgam to get himself promoted to Field Marshal post. This followed by what Moshin Naqvi did during Asia cup. He was ACC head but was acting like 2 rupee twitter troll. Also ran away with the trophy even after his team lost 3 times straight.

So lot of bad blood between two nations and I dont think in 2026 there will be any good relation.

According to the dev predictions, we are getting closer to a large-scale war where both sides will attack HWT, such as army chiefs , Major economic hubs etc., and this time one side will also lose its territory. This is going to happen inside 24 month's.

 

[finalfantasy7]

I think a better questions is will the surrounding countries relations improve with India, as Nepal, Bangldesh, Sri Lanka, have voiced to distance away from India


As we know Pakistan ans India will never get along,

However i do see Kashmir being seperated from India, thanks to Pakistan, via another conflict and Aksai China returning back to China and the seven sisters states being heavily reliant on Bangldesh - will we see another border

 

[emranabbas]

Ok...glad you believe in this and buy this
But that's not what your leaders say

Musharraf admitted to be a terror sponsor

You created armed and funded Taliban
You were excited when Taliban came to power
Your govt banned let jem etf under us pressure
You were banned under fatf
Every terrorists is protected by Paksitan ..including Osama who was caught red handed.
Your leaders stood behind a UN terrorist while his buddies were sent to hell by Brahmos
Your defense minister admitted to doing the dirty work for money or fear

Now where is your proof for the fantasy you generated in your post.

Don't consider the world as gullible as you to believe stupid propaganda

People warned me you weren’t very bright — today you proved them right.
We’re discussing present-day reality, not bedtime stories from the 18th century.


So let’s play a quick game of facts:
Who is currently sharing beds with the Taliban?
Who is currently sending them money?
Are the Taliban not actively backing terrorists along the Afghan–Pakistan border who are anti Pakistan?
And aren’t those very same terrorists attacking India?

It really takes talent to pay for your own destruction and somehow, you lot manage it well

then you go crying Pakistan Pakistan

 

[sweep_shot]

People warned me you weren’t very bright — today you proved them right.
We’re discussing present-day reality, not bedtime stories from the 18th century.


So let’s play a quick game of facts:
Who is currently sharing beds with the Taliban?
Who is currently sending them money?
Are the Taliban not actively backing terrorists along the Afghan–Pakistan border who are anti Pakistan?
And aren’t those very same terrorists attacking India?

It really takes talent to pay for your own destruction and somehow, you lot manage it well

then you go crying Pakistan Pakistan

These sanghis go back in time if it suits them. Otherwise, they stay in present.

They have zero integrity.

 

[straighttalk]

People warned me you weren’t very bright — today you proved them right.
We’re discussing present-day reality, not bedtime stories from the 18th century.


So let’s play a quick game of facts:
Who is currently sharing beds with the Taliban?
Who is currently sending them money?
Are the Taliban not actively backing terrorists along the Afghan–Pakistan border who are anti Pakistan?
And aren’t those very same terrorists attacking India?

It really takes talent to pay for your own destruction and somehow, you lot manage it well

then you go crying Pakistan Pakistan

Insulting my intelligence and comparing 2022 shenanigans with taliban as 18 th century. All that I provided are in the last 20 years not last 150 years when Paksitan didn't even exist .


India is with Afghan people and provided humanitarian and economic support to whoever is the Afghan govt .
Indian money is not used for terrorism...share some evidence or get India banned under fatf like the world did for your terrorists activities .

Who knows Paksitan claims India sponsors terrorism in Pakistan..either they know it's all bs or they know their army can't take on India...you can pick which ever fact that suits you. What Taliban and Paksitani pashtuns do is your own issue..what can we do with it. China backs Paksitan which backs terrorists in India..do we call China a terrorist country. No. It's the same.

Lmao..you lot decide good terrorist bad terrorists...you backed let jem hizbul and whatever else that comes before and after...protect Osama of all people and come and sermonizenpeopel...you created Taliban .helped them fight soviet's...and now they turned on you...where is India in it.

On one hand you claim modi is a Hindu zealot who kills Muslims..on the same breath you claim he is allying with taliban who are the epitome of radical islamlc fundamentalism. The one difference between Taliban and lashkar type is that Taliban only cares about pashtun area whereas the lashkar type are a global disease.

 

[straighttalk]

No I don't believe Pahalgam was a false flag. I believe it was carried out by Kashmiris with no Pakistani input. I am not a fan of false flag theories. It is a shame that whenever an attack happens many people default is to just blame the victim. I do believe that Indias blame of Pakistan was incorrect though.

Sindoor was no success, it has left India cornered, intnationalised Kashmir issue and Modi being humiliated from Washington to Beijing

Only issue is TRP which is a front of let took responsibility and got banned by your ally state department where as you stated Modi is cornered. So can you explain why? Since modi is cornered...there is no bias there. Also arrested Indian helpers have identified Pakistani terrorists ..so there is evidence now

Let's leave the military question aside as that can never be resolved. Beyond the fact that we lost few jets and in return got IWT scrapped, hit terrorist bases., multiple airbases, 2 jets confirmed and some more claimed. Most jet claims on either side have not been backed by evidence. But I don't want to litigate that as we won't agree.

But let's look at your other claims.


Cornered..how..I don't know because that's a qualitative statement.

Internationalized Kashmir...can you share evidence. Is there multilateral negotiation treaty talk happening.. is the world pushing for dialog or condemning India beyond Turkey and other Islamic lip service. Exactly what has changed.

Beijing..lmao..who cares about China in India...they are never allies.

USA..you are right but that happened not for Sindoor....it's trade Russia and Nobel prize.

 

[finalfantasy7]

Why many Educated Indians are Supporting Pakistan​

@Rajdeep @cricketjoshila @Champ_Pal @JaDed @Devadwal @uppercut @Theanonymousone @straighttalk @Vikram1989 @Varun @Romali_rotti @Bhaijaan @Cover Drive Six @rickroll @rpant_gabba, @Romali_rotti @kron @globetrotter @Hitman @jnaveen1980


#FreeMinoritiesOfIndiaFromHindus

#SaveAllIndianMinorities

#FreeIndiaFromHinduExtremism

#SanctionIndia

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

No chance. Infact, we will see another mini war between these two countries in 2026. Get ready.

 

[bk19xsa]

I pray and hope for peace between the two countries.

To the R&AW and ISI folks reading this: what's the point of Intelligence if you have to kill a lot of people directly or as collateral for your gain?

Intelligence is supposed to be analytical and not brute force. That's what separates us from animals. You guys are highly smart and well read. You know what I am talking about.

I highly suggest meet up, produce intelligent resolution which actually provides peace and stability to the subcontinent region.

Don't worry on which religion/culture will eventually dominate or influence/govern a land. That's up to God.

You guys have big responsibility towards your countries, which means you have huge responsibility towards the people of your countries.

War and bloodshed are temporary and debt driven solutions for better economy. They never workout in the long term.

Go back to the days before darkness and cynicism or a particular malevolent event overcame your souls as a child. Prior, you believed in peace and happiness.

Now you are adults and with your great intelligence and power comes great responsibility.

Some of you will deny that we will not answer to anyone for our deeds this life. Trust me, you will.

So, if you think your motto and ideology is the best, then work towards peace and do good. Only, righteous and pious actions can make people believe in your ideology and inspire them to be good peace loving citizens.

Otherwise, the devil has you wrapped around his finger like a yo-yo in a vicious loop so that you get consumed by your own created darkness.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Pakistan and India swap lists of prisoners in each other’s jails

Pakistan and India on Thursday exchanged lists of prisoners in each other’s jails, the Foreign Office spokesman said here.

Pakistan and India exchange the lists of prisoners twice in a year under the Consular Access Agreement signed in 2008, FO spokesman said in a press briefing here today.

He said Pakistan has handed over the list of 257 Indian prisoners to India.

Pakistan and India also exchange details of their nuclear facilities as a confidence-building measure between the two neighbouring countries.

In an important diplomatic development, Pakistan and India have exchanged details of their nuclear facilities and lists of prisoners held in each other’s jails, continuing a confidence-building practice between the two neighbours.

The agreement on the exchange of lists of nuclear facilities was signed in 90s by former Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto and former Indian prime minister Rajiv Gandhi.

Pakistan and India swap lists of prisoners in each other’s jails

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and India on Thursday exchanged lists of prisoners in each other’s jails, the Foreign Office spokesman said here.

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