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India-Pakistan Ceasefire: Negotiations Now Needed

In Asia, Being a World Citizen, Conflict Resolution, Current Events, NGOs, Nonviolence, Nuclear weapons, Peacebuilding, Solidarity, The Search for Peace, Track II, United Nations, World Law on May 13, 2025 at 7:30 AM

By René Wadlow

After the April 22 attack and death of 26 Indian tourists at Pahalgam in the Indian-administered area of Kashmir, tensions between India and Pakistan grew quickly. Pakistan was accused by India of backing the terrorists who had carried out the attack – a charge which Pakistan denied. Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave the Indian military “complete operational freedom”. A combination of bellicose rhetoric, domestic pressures, and political agitation led to daily exchanges of armed fire, and the shooting down of Indian jet fighters. The frontiers between the two countries were closed and diplomats withdrawn. The dangers of escalation between the two nuclear-armed countries were obvious to many.

Fortunately, outside voices called for an immediate ceasefire: U.S. President Donald Trump and his Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN), and some member governments of the UN Security Council which met in closed session, as well as a good number of Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs) involved in conflict resolution efforts such as the International Peace Bureau and the Association of World Citizens (AWC). One must now strive so that the ceasefire will hold.

(C) CNN

The next step is to facilitate negotiations between the Indian and Pakistani governments. A first step is to create a number of confidence-building measures so that the ceasefire holds. Then there is a need to develop longer-range negotiations. There are a good number of outstanding issues, such as Kashmir, which go back to the founding of the two countries.

It may be that the current steps back from the nuclear brink will drive home the need for serious negotiations. NGOs in both India and Pakistan may help to see on what issues progress may be made. Those of us on the outside must do all we can to facilitate creative dialogue between Indians and Pakistanis.

Prof. René Wadlow is President of the Association of World Citizens.

The Power of Conscience

In Being a World Citizen, Conflict Resolution, Current Events, Human Rights, Humanitarian Law, Middle East & North Africa, NGOs, Solidarity, The Search for Peace, War Crimes, World Law on May 4, 2025 at 12:00 PM

By René Wadlow

On May 2, 2025, a ship carrying food and medical supplies for the Gaza Strip organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition was attacked by drones in international waters near Malta. The ship was badly damaged and its cargo lost. The ship was appropriately called The Conscience.

Conscience is that inner voice which helps each person to know right from wrong. Every thought and deed has an ethical significance and consequence – what is called in Indian thought Karma. Conscience, this perception of choice between right and wrong, is within each person as a clear guide. A sensitive conscience speaks with a voice of authority so that one can act positively and with justice.

Conscience under attack (C) The Malta Independent

Nonviolent action to protect civilians and to call attention to crucial situations is being increasingly used. There are real dangers involved. In 2010, a similar humanitarian aid ship of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition was attacked by Israeli forces in international waters. Ten persons were killed and many wounded.

Today, many of us have called for the end to the Israeli blockade of supplies to the Gaza Strip, a blockade which began again after the end of a ceasefire on March 18, 2025. Families are struggling to meet their most basic needs of food and medicine. We need to develop creative and positive avenues of action.

(C) Seven Sisters Collective/Instagram

Prof. René Wadlow is President of the Association of World Citizens.