Despite ceasefire, India and Pakistan are locked in a cultural cold war

Despite decades of conflict, India and Pakistan have long sought to bridge divides through art, culture, and diplomacy. While artists and cultural workers have made efforts to humanize each other and preserve exchange, violence and mistrust have derailed these initiatives. Post-2019 Kargil War isolations further severed ties, with visa issues and targeted safe spaces highlighting the surge in tension. Yet, moments of hope remain, like the positive story of cultural bridging through shared family legacies. However, trust and communication have been severely eroded, making it increasingly difficult for cultural ties to survive.