What started it? Who ended it? After the worst week of fighting between India and Pakistan in a quarter century, the whole world is breathing a sigh of relief that it didn’t escalate further between nuclear-armed neighbours .... and wondering how much superpower showdowns weigh on the dynamic in the decades-old rivalry over Kashmir.

What started with a terror attack spilled over from the disputed territory, with Chinese-made military hardware displayed in battle for the first time, disputes over the reported downing of French fighter jets and the US claiming a starring role in mediating a ceasefire.

We also ask whether India's Hindu nationalist prime minister and Pakistan's religiously devout army chief of staff emerge strengthened or weakened? How to get beyond a zero-sum game between Narendra Modi and Asim Munir and avoid a repeat of what has just been endured on both sides of the line of control?

Produced by François Picard, Théophile Vareille, Juliette Laffont, Jimena Morales-Velasco.