India

To My Friends Across the Border – A Letter to the People of Pakistan We share a deep and intertwined history — one of culture, language, music, cuisine, and the spirit of the subcontinent. In so many ways, we are reflections of each other. And yet, over the decades, we have drifted apart, shaped by different choices, systems, and circumstances. India, with all its flaws and challenges, continues to strive as the world’s largest democracy. Our journey is far from perfect, but we continue to evolve. Pakistan, on the other hand, has struggled with military dominance over civilian institutions. No Prime Minister has completed a full term, and the shadow of the army looms large over your democracy. ...

War is never good. Let’s begin there. It brings pain, loss, and suffering—especially for the brave soldiers who stand at the frontlines. No sensible person should ever celebrate conflict. But let’s also acknowledge a hard truth: that is why nations have armies. Not to seek war, but to be prepared for it when peace is no longer an option. India has, for decades, championed peace in its neighborhood. We’ve tried dialogue and diplomacy in every form—Aman ki Asha, Track II diplomacy, cricket diplomacy, people-to-people exchanges. We extended a hand of friendship, again and again. But what did we get in return? Cross-border terrorism, broken promises, and betrayal. ...

A reflection on how the lies we tell ourselves about peace come at a heavy cost—and why it’s time we confronted the truth.