A cross-border peace appeal signed by 61 prominent Indians and 56 Pakistanis has called on the governments of India and Pakistan to resume dialogue, describing it as the 'surest path' to resolving long-standing tensions. The appeal, issued by the Centre for Peace and Progress (CPP), comes more than a year after Operation Sindoor, a military confrontation that escalated bilateral hostilities.
Appeal seeks thaw after Operation Sindoor
The appeal, released on 1 July 2026, marks a concerted civil society effort to break the ice between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. Signatories include former diplomats, academics, artists, and civil rights activists from both sides of the border. According to the CPP, the initiative aims to 'rekindle the spirit of dialogue' and address issues ranging from trade to Kashmir.
'We, the undersigned, believe that the surest path to peace lies in sustained and meaningful dialogue,' the appeal states. 'The people of India and Pakistan share a common desire for peace, prosperity, and cooperation.' The signatories urge both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to 'seize the moment' and restart comprehensive talks.
Concrete steps proposed
The appeal proposes several concrete steps, including the resumption of the Composite Dialogue process, enhanced trade ties, and cultural exchanges. It also calls for a ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) and the release of fishermen and prisoners held by both countries. 'Peace is not a concession but a shared necessity,' the document reads.
Notable signatories from India include former chief election commissioner S.Y. Quraishi, filmmaker Shyam Benegal, and human rights activist Harsh Mander. From Pakistan, signatories include former foreign minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri, journalist Raza Rumi, and poet Fatima Bhutto. The CPP said the appeal was the result of months of consultations and reflects 'the collective conscience of the subcontinent'.
Impact and reactions
The appeal has drawn mixed reactions. While peace activists have welcomed it, hawkish voices on both sides have dismissed it as 'naive'. In New Delhi, government sources said they had taken note of the appeal but declined to comment further. In Islamabad, officials said the appeal 'echoes the sentiments of the Pakistani people' but stressed that 'meaningful progress requires concrete actions from India'.
According to the CPP, the appeal is the first such cross-border initiative since the 2019 Pulwama attack and the subsequent Balakot airstrikes. 'We have seen enough conflict; it is time for peace,' said CPP founder Dr. Ayesha Siddiqa, a Pakistani security analyst. Indian peace activist and signatory Jatin Desai said, 'The people of both countries want peace. It is up to the leaders to deliver.'
The appeal comes amid a fragile ceasefire along the LoC, which has largely held since the February 2021 agreement. However, political ties remain frozen, with no high-level talks since 2019. Trade, too, remains negligible, with bilateral trade standing at just $2.2 billion in 2025, far below its potential.
