Mudassir Rizwan
The glimmer of hope that environmental and climate challenges could serve as a catalyst for rare Pakistan-India cooperation is quickly fading. Despite the urgency of the issues, including smog, heat waves, and recurring floods that affect millions of people on both sides of the border, there has been little to no response from India to Pakistan’s proposals for collaboration. This missed opportunity for cooperation marks a continuation of a long-standing pattern where political differences overshadow practical solutions that could improve the lives of ordinary people, most of whom live below the poverty line in both countries.
The environmental problems faced by Pakistan and India are no small matter. The region is grappling with unprecedented heat waves, destructive floods, and smog-induced health crises, particularly in the northern regions. Punjab, one of the worst-affected areas, has been dealing with severe air pollution that cripples daily life. The air quality in cities like Lahore has often been deemed hazardous, leading to widespread health issues. This environmental crisis affects millions of people, many of whom are already struggling with poverty and inadequate access to healthcare.
In the face of this shared environmental catastrophe, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s call for a united front against climate change seemed like a reasonable and timely proposal. It was an invitation to put aside political differences and work together for the common good of both nations. However, as has often been the case in recent years, the Indian response was dismissive and dismissive, effectively ignoring Pakistan’s overture. This lack of response from the Indian government is not an isolated incident; it reflects a broader trend in the current political climate under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government.
It is essential to recognize that this behavior is not new. Pakistan has extended the hand of peace numerous times, particularly since the late 1990s. Even under General Pervez Musharraf’s presidency, efforts were made to resolve the contentious Kashmir issue, offering a four-point solution to kickstart the peace process. However, despite these repeated overtures, India has continually undermined Pakistan’s attempts to foster dialogue. The situation has only worsened under the current BJP-led government, where political differences have extended into nearly every sphere, from arts to sports, to diplomatic relations. This narrow, confrontational approach has left little room for constructive engagement with Pakistan.
The failure to recognize the mutual benefits of cooperation in addressing climate challenges is particularly disappointing. Both Pakistan and India are among the most vulnerable countries to climate change, with extreme weather patterns and disasters becoming more frequent. Together, these two nations represent around one-fifth of the global population, and a large percentage of their people live below the poverty line. These challenges know no borders, and as such, the need for joint action has never been more critical. Climate change and environmental degradation do not respect political divisions—they affect everyone indiscriminately.
The failure of both nations to cooperate on these issues is not only an affront to the potential for peace and progress but also a wasted opportunity to alleviate human suffering. Extreme temperatures, flooding, and droughts affect millions of lives, and addressing these problems could save countless lives and resources. Working together, the two nations could share knowledge, technologies, and resources to better prepare for natural disasters and mitigate the devastating effects of climate change. Instead, due to entrenched political hostility, both countries continue to face these challenges in isolation, exacerbating the plight of their citizens.
Furthermore, the failure to engage on climate issues also reflects a broader geopolitical stance. Despite the urgency of global climate change, India’s government under Modi has increasingly isolated itself from any kind of cooperation with Pakistan, effectively ruling out any form of foreign mediation or multilateral engagement. India has consistently rejected any form of third-party involvement, framing such initiatives as “interference” in “bilateral issues.” While this stance is understandable in some diplomatic contexts, it becomes far less tenable when the well-being of millions of people is at stake.
In recent years, there was some hope that the outcome of India’s general elections, which were weaker than expected for the BJP, might prompt Modi and his supporters to reconsider their rigid stance. Some observers believed that Modi’s political base, which has often relied on anti-Pakistan and anti-Muslim rhetoric, might soften in the face of more pressing concerns, including economic performance and climate challenges. However, these hopes have largely proven to be misplaced. Modi’s government continues to cling to its confrontational rhetoric, alienating Pakistan and many other neighboring countries in the process.
The current Indian establishment’s reluctance to break from the status quo and engage with Pakistan on critical issues is not just a matter of missed opportunities—it is a strategic blunder. It is clear that the Modi administration’s approach has alienated many countries, leaving India with fewer allies in the region. In the long term, such isolation will only harm India’s prospects. If Modi and his government do not change course soon, they risk pushing the country into a corner where de-escalation becomes necessary, yet it will come with significant political and diplomatic embarrassment.
The lack of cooperation between India and Pakistan on climate change is a clear reflection of the broader political impasse between the two nations. No matter how much sense it makes to find a common ground in combating climate change, political differences continue to impede any meaningful dialogue. This is particularly frustrating when one considers how much both countries stand to gain from such cooperation. A unified front could enhance both nations’ ability to respond to climate-induced disasters, improve their environmental resilience, and, perhaps most importantly, save lives.
In light of this, it is becoming increasingly clear that there is little hope for immediate breakthroughs on the climate front between Pakistan and India. While calls for peace and collaboration are important, they are not enough when one side is unwilling to engage in any meaningful dialogue. Climate change, though a pressing global issue, may not be enough to overcome the political deadlock between the two nations.
The situation remains bleak, but there is still a chance for future progress. The people of Pakistan and India continue to suffer the consequences of environmental degradation, but they also continue to live with the hope that one day, their governments will recognize the urgency of the moment and work together to address these shared challenges. Whether this hope will be realized depends on whether India’s leadership is willing to take the first step toward peace and cooperation—or whether it will remain trapped in its own cycle of antagonism.
