Pakistan and India have failed to make much headway in the peace process. After a recent interaction between foreign secretaries from both sides in New Delhi, a game of allegations and counter-allegations continued while no major breakthrough in talks was achieved. However, both sides have conceded that there was no other option but “dialogue” to move ahead and find a way out for all outstanding issues. For many years, little progress has been made on starting a meaningful dialogue process as both sides have refused to budge from their positions. A war of words is going on as Pakistan insists on discussing those issues that have more worth for Islamabad while India wants to discuss its own issues first. If both states stick to this approach of trying to win at the negotiating table what they have failed to achieve on the battlefield, the whole peace process will remain fruitless. Both states need to reach a compromise as no side can completely gain what it desires. Both sides need to demonstrate some maturity and should not endanger the peace process over petty differences. The present stalemate will only lead to further chaos and tension. Both sides are committing follies and are being governed by the mindset that has always called for a tit-for-tat response and have hence undermined each other. The leadership of both sides needs to show some flexibility and unless they do so, there is no hope for peace. There is a need to come up with a mechanism to address conflicting issues. Islamabad and New Delhi need to learn from past mistakes and get rid of negative approaches as well as factors that spoil the climate of the dialogue process even before its resumption. Rigid stances and a lack of compromise by both sides will always engage both sides in war of words at the diplomatic level and a war of arms at the borders. The governments of India and Pakistan should give peace a chance and come to the negotiating table to find solutions to all outstanding issues. They must work on bringing peace as it carries enormous benefits for the people living in both countries. The holding of talks is the only way forward to achieve cordiality between the two neighbours. As India and Pakistan are key stakeholders in the region, both states need to join hands against the common threat of terrorism. They need to work out a common strategy against all challenges and sort out all outstanding issues through a meaningful dialogue process. The leadership of both countries must resolve all bilateral issues in a civilised manner. They must listen to each other’s opinions, address grievances and seek solutions. There must be an end to the adoption of intransigent positions, and serious efforts must be made for the establishment of friendly relations between India and Pakistan. It is the need of the hour that both countries should respect each other and hold a dialogue to resolve all issues. A positive and peaceful environment is needed, and hence Pakistan and India should resolve to address all bilateral issues for the common good. *