Statement from Congressman Jonathan L. Jackson on Tensions Between India and Pakistan

As tensions rise between India and Pakistan, I feel compelled to speak; Not only as a Member of Congress, but as a man who has walked the streets of both nations, embraced their people, and listened to their hopes and fears firsthand.

I had the honor of visiting both India and Pakistan on congressional and humanitarian missions. In Delhi, I met with educators, students, and faith leaders who are working tirelessly to bridge divides and build a future of innovation and inclusion. In Islamabad, I sat with mothers who shared stories of generational pain, but also expressed dreams of peace for their children. What struck me most on both sides of the border was the shared humanity; the deep desire for dignity, stability, and progress.

These are not abstract foreign policy issues to me. The Indian and Pakistani communities in Chicago are part of my extended family. I have broken bread in their homes, celebrated their holidays, attended weddings and funerals. These are people who carry dual loves — for their countries of origin and for the American dream they are building here. They are watching these developments with heavy hearts, and so am I.

My father, Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr., always said that peace is not just the absence of war but the presence of justice. He traveled the world to help mediate conflict, whether in the Middle East, Central America, or apartheid South Africa. His mission lives on in my work today: to seek understanding over escalation and diplomacy over destruction.

It is imperative that both India and Pakistan step back from the brink. Nuclear-armed neighbors cannot afford the cost of war. Not in lives, not in global stability, and not in the futures of their youth. I urge both governments to recommit to dialogue, mutual respect, and a long-term vision for peace in South Asia.

I will continue to advocate for peace, justice, and the human dignity of all people. Let us rise above the cycles of history and choose a path forward — together.

Congressman Jonathan L. Jackson
U.S. Representative, Illinois's 1st Congressional District