By Chris Thorley
The current period of capitalist chaos and decay is one of increased conflict, both economic and military. The wars in Ukraine, Palestine, Congo and Sudan have caused devastation and loss of life on a scale not seen since WWII. Now another theatre of conflict is opening up, this time between India and Pakistan, in a prolonged stand-off between two nuclear armed powers.
At the time of writing, India and Pakistan are in a period of fragile ceasefire, after four days of escalating conflict, which Indian premier Modi has called “temporary”.
Escalation
This current bout of violence between the two countries was sparked by a massacre of 27 people on 22 April in Indian-occupied Kashmir, by an armed group which the Indian state claims Pakistan was supporting. India retaliated with missile strikes on Pakistan on 7 May.
This began four days of escalating drone and artillery attacks from both countries, including damage to civilian areas. Despite initially saying the conflict was “none of our business”, JD Vance apparently received intelligence which forced the Trump regime to intervene.
Trump swept into the White House in January with promises of ending wars in Ukraine and Gaza, but has so far failed to do either. Despite a ceasefire being agreed, which has held up to now, this appears to be another conflict that Donald Trump could be unable to control.
Inter-imperialist conflict
These events are taking place amidst an escalating inter-imperialist conflict between China and the US, as well as a deep crisis for the Indian and Pakistani ruling classes. India, despite being part of the supposedly ‘independent’ BRICs group of nations, has increasingly built ties with Trump’s US. The right-wing nationalist Modi regime also recently secured a trade deal with the UK.
With the strengthening of these ties, they are looking to economically challenge the dominance of Chinese imperialism in the region. Pakistan is more dependent on China, who is its largest creditor and weapons supplier.
Since British imperialism’s partition of India 1947, Kashmir has always been a hotbed of sectarian violence and oppression. The Kashmiri people, who have been under direct military occupation by India since 2019, have been routinely denied their basic democratic rights. The ruling classes of both sides seek to use the region as a pawn, claiming it for ‘their’ side.
However, the subcontinent has also been a hotbed of struggle in recent years, against both reactionary regimes. India saw huge farmers protests in 2020-21 (which resurfaced last year), while Pakistan saw protests in 2024 against the falling standard of living.
Workers’ unity
This conflict has worldwide significance. In 2022, communal violence broke out between Muslim and Hindu communities in Leicester. New tensions between the countries increase the risk of a repeat of such communal violence.
To challenge sectarianism, socialists point to the real enemies: the ruling classes of India and Pakistan who are leading working people on both sides into violence. Genuine peace and security cannot be achieved in the hands of Modi, Sharif (Pakistani PM) and other warmongers.
Ending the bloodshed means recognising the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination, as well as fighting for a socialist India and a socialist Pakistan in a free and voluntary socialist federation of the region.
