After India launched strikes on both Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, tensions between two countries are at a new high in a decades-long conflict.

New Delhi

Tensions between India and Pakistan are rising again, with flight suspensions, blackouts and military strikes. Both sides are trading blame.

India Pakistan War

After recent military actions by India targeting what they describe as terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, tensions between the neighboring nuclear-armed countries have escalated. India initiated these strikes following an incident in which 26 civilians were killed in Indian-controlled Kashmir, an act India attributes to Pakistani involvement—a claim Pakistan firmly denies. This situation adds a new chapter to the longstanding conflict over Kashmir.

The conflict in Kashmir dates back to the partition of British India in 1947, which resulted in the creation of two new nations: Hindu-majority India and Muslim-majority Pakistan. Both countries claim the entire region of Kashmir, which is presently divided among India, Pakistan, and China. Since the partition, the region has experienced multiple wars and persistent violence, largely due to unresolved border disputes and the complex socio-political dynamics of the area.

A significant resurgence in hostilities was observed in 2019 when India conducted a cross-border military operation in Pakistan following a militant attack. The two countries had agreed to a ceasefire in 2021, which had largely held until recent events. The current escalation raises concerns about the future of peace and stability in the region, as each side remains suspicious of the other's intentions.



Why tensions in Kashmir are sparking fears of war

Are India and Pakistan these two nuclear-armed neighbours on the brink of war? We've seen India launch missiles towards what they call terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan. This comes after 26 civilians have been killed in Indian-controlled Kashmir by militants, something that India accuses Pakistan of involvement in and something that Pakistan completely denies. But this is a long conflict, one that's been fought over many, many times. So how did we get here? Well, Kashmir is a region that is claimed in its entirety by both Pakistan up here and India here. And China controls this area in the east. This de facto border is overseen by both sides. This beautiful mountainous land looks so picturesque, but it is one of the most militarised zones in the world. It all started in 1947 when the British divided India, its former colony, into two countries. Pakistan, a Muslim-majority country, and India, a Hindu-majority one. The borders were hastily drawn up and Kashmir was caught in the middle. Soon enough, war broke out between the two newly independent countries over control of Kashmir. Essentially, that's an issue that's just never been resolved. And it's still at the heart of a lot of the violence that is playing out today. Another two wars broke out, one in 1965 and one in 1971. And over the past two decades, militants have consistently fought with Indian security forces. Some of them have been demanding independence for Kashmir, and some of them have been demanding that Kashmir becomes a part of Pakistan. The Indian government has consistently said that these militants are supported by Pakistan, and Pakistan have consistently said that they have no involvement at all in them. But over the years, tens of thousands of people have been killed in this violence. For example, you might remember back in 2019 when there was this surge in violence. This happened after a cross-border militant attack in India, and India responding with the first incursion by Indian Air Force into Pakistani territory for decades. In 2021, both Pakistan and India recommitted to a ceasefire that was along this line of control here. And that held fairly well for the last four years or so. But now with recent events playing out, there is a lot of fear about how this violence might escalate. And with international norms now really thrown into question, a lot of people are asking, where do we go from here?

The U.S. and the European Union have locked in a framework trade deal that includes a 15% U.S. tariff on most EU imports, including autos, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors and lumber.

Washington

Global Tariffs

U.S. and EU lock in trade deal

Israel says it began its military operation to take control of Gaza City. This comes after an apparent Hamas attack in Khan Younis targeting Israeli soldiers.

Jerusalem

Middle East Conflict

Israel says it began Gaza City expansion

After weeks of pushback from Democrats, House Republicans in Texas have passed controversial legislation to redraw the state's congressional map, giving the GOP an advantage in multiple seats.

Austin

Texas House passes controversial GOP redistricting map

U.S. President Donald Trump’s top-down diplomacy has experts in Ukraine skeptical about whether there has been enough preparation for proposed talks to actually end the war between Russia and Ukraine.

Moscow

Ukraine Invasion

Russia signals more talks needed before Zelenskyy-Putin meeting

The Texas House on Wednesday night passed a controversial, Republican-backed proposal to redraw the state's congressional maps. The bill now moves onto the Texas Senate. CBS News reporter Erica Brown has more.

Texas

Texas House approves GOP congressional redistricting map

Israel's military has called up tens of thousands of reservists in preparation for an expected assault on Gaza City, as the Israeli government considered a new proposal for a ceasefire after nearly two years of war.

Israel calls up 60,000 reservists ahead of Gaza City operation

The Trump administration says it is adding 407 items to the list of "derivative" steel and aluminum products subject to higher tariffs. The list includes products like car parts, household appliances, baby strollers, fire extinguishers and spray deodorants.

Trump expanding steel and aluminum tariffs

NATO military chiefs met virtually Wednesday for what was described as a candid discussion about security guarantees the alliance would be willing to provide to Ukraine in an effort to end Russia's war in the region.

Brussels

NATO chiefs meet virtually about potential Ukraine security guarantees

Israel's military leaders approved the next phase of their ongoing offensive in the territory. The operation will shift focus to Gaza City, targeting areas where Hamas is believed to still be active and where Israeli forces have not yet operated.

Israel approves next phase of Gaza offensive, focus on Gaza City

Despite not making landfall, Hurricane Erin is forcing mandatory evacuation orders in parts of North Carolina and is expected to cause rip currents for days along the U.S. East Coast.

North Carolina

Hurricane Erin forces evacuations on U.S. East Coast

The White House says it is working to secure a meeting between the presidents of Russia and Ukraine, which both have agreed to, while plans continue to create security guarantees for Ukraine.

Trump says no U.S. ground troops will be sent to Ukraine

Hamas has agreed to a ceasefire proposal for Gaza, but mediators are still waiting for an official response from Israel. CBS News contributor Robert Berger has the latest from Jerusalem.

Mediators await Israeli response to Gaza ceasefire proposal

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met China’s top diplomat on Tuesday and hailed the “steady progress” made in improving the bilateral relationship after a yearslong standoff between the nuclear-armed Asian powers.

India's Modi meets China's foreign minister to rebuild ties

Texas Democrats who ended a walkout found themselves shadowed by law enforcement officers to keep them from repeating the protest that stalled Republican efforts to redraw congressional districts and fulfill President Donald Trump's desire to reshape U.S. House maps.

Police escort Texas Democrats to prevent new redistricting walkout

Air Canada has reached a tentative agreement with the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB), ending the strike that began over the weekend involving 10,000 members and disrupted travel for more than 100,000 travelers per day.

Toronto

Air Canada reaches tentative agreement with flight attendant union

Exiled former Hong Kong lawmaker Ted Hui hailed Australia's grant of asylum status as a key acknowledgement of the territory's human rights infringements since its authorities quelled massive pro-democracy protests in 2019.

Hong Kong Island

Ex-Hong Kong lawmaker granted asylum by Australia

Forecasters are giving urgent warnings to millions of people who live along the East Coast as Hurricane Erin churns in the Atlantic. The storm will not make direct landfall but is expected to bring dangerous rip currents.

East Coast of the United States

Hurricane Erin to bring dangerous rip currents to U.S. East Coast

Jasveen Sangha, a Los Angeles woman known as the "Ketamine Queen," has agreed to plead guilty to federal charges in connection with the death of actor Matthew Perry. Sangha could face up to 45 years in prison.

Los Angeles

"Ketamine Queen" to plead guilty in Matthew Perry's death

European leaders who converged on the White House for talks on the Russia-Ukraine war demonstrated a united front regarding Ukraine's security on Monday, underscoring the issue as pivotal for the entire continent, not just Ukraine.

EU leaders show cautious optimism following Zelenskyy, Trump talks

As Hamas reportedly agreed to some ceasefire terms that would include the return of more hostages, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered troops to take more of Gaza.

Israel digs in on Gaza takeover as Hamas softens on ceasefire

President Donald Trump said that the United States would help Europe in providing security for Ukraine as part of any deal to end Russia's war in Ukraine.

Trump tells Zelenskyy U.S. would help with security in a peace deal

Bolivia's presidential vote headed to an unprecedented runoff after elections Sunday that ended more than two decades of left-wing dominance in the Andean nation but signaled voters' trepidation about a major lurch to the right.

La Paz

Bolivia heads to runoff after historic defeat for the left

All Air Canada planes were grounded on Monday (August 18) after its 10,000 flight attendants refused a return-to-work mandate from the Canadian government.

Air Canada delays plans to resume operations

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived at the White House Monday (August 18) for his meeting with President Donald Trump and other European leaders about Russia's war in Ukraine. CBS News White House reporter Taurean Small has more.

Trump meeting with Zelenskiy, European leaders at White House

Hamas on Monday informed mediators that it had accepted a ceasefire deal proposal submitted to it the day before, according to international and Israeli outlets.

Reports: Hamas accepts latest Gaza ceasefire proposal

Hurricane Erin will bring dangerously rough surf to parts of the U.S. East Coast. Over the weekend, Erin's outer bands lashed Puerto Rico with up to 7 inches of rain and flooding parts of the island.

Erin expected to bring dangerous conditions to U.S. East Coast

Ahead of his Monday meeting with President Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymry Zelenksyy says his country will not give up any territory to Russia, even as the White House insists potential land swaps will be necessary. Willie James Inman reports.

Kyiv

Ahead of Trump meeting, Zelenskyy says won't give territory to Russia

Thousands of Israeli protesters demanded a deal to secure the release of hostages still held by Hamas in one of the biggest demonstrations since the war in Gaza began. Debora Patta reports.

Thousands of Israelis protest in Gaza, call for end to fighting

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy flies to Washington on Monday under heavy U.S. pressure to agree to a swift end to Russia's war in his country, but determined to defend Kyiv's interests — without sparking a second Oval Office dust-up with Donald Trump.

Zelenskyy, European allies to meet with Trump to discuss peace

European leaders voiced strong support for Ukraine ahead of a Washington summit with U.S President Donald Trump. They emphasized unity, territorial integrity and security guarantees as essential to any peace deal.

See The Full Story

India Pakistan War