One year on from the lightning war of May 2025, India and Pakistan continue to celebrate the conflict as a national victory. But behind the patriotic rhetoric, new military vulnerabilities are emerging, along with a growing arms race and unresolved tensions over Kashmir, terrorism and water resources, whilst diplomatic channels between the two nuclear powers remain virtually frozen.

The killing of an aide to a prominent Bharatiya Janata Party leader has heightened tensions following the Hindu ultranationalist party's historic election victory. Accusations of irregularities have been levelled, while Hindutva supporters have targeted the activities of Muslims, whose vote was fragmented. In Assam, Muslims backed the Indian National Congress, fuelling polarisation.

In a village in the district of Banswara, four Catholics were arrested on charges of “conversion” for organising a Marian prayer in a private garden. At St Teresa’s Academy in Modinagar, a dispute with a teacher has become a “cause” for nationalists. Orissa human rights group: “Police and authorities complicit in violence against Christian Adivasis and Dalits”.

The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party won 108 of 234 seats, falling short of an absolute majority, while the BJP won only one seat, remaining weak in southern India. The success of Vijay, a Tamil Christian, appears to be linked to growing discontent with the duopoly of local parties and his strong capacity for popular mobilisation, but building alliances will be a challenge.

Nepal has sent diplomatic notes to India and China protesting the reopening of the Lipulekh corridor for the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage. It claims sovereignty over the area, whose borders date back to colonial times. The Nepali government claims it was not consulted and accuses India of unilateral actions, while China, although remaining on the sidelines, has so far effectively backed India's position.

In a story that has sadly gone viral in India in recent days, a villager exhumed his sister’s remains to “prove” her death to officials who were preventing him from withdrawing money from her account. The community where he now lives wants him to perform a ritual bath and a series of other public acts to atone for the desecration. Otherwise, he will be banished.