The threat of world war is increasing in the world. The war that started in Gaza two years ago in the Middle East has now reached Iran. Israel and Iran are carrying out fierce attacks on each other. The US has also joined this war. Along with this, a war is also going on between Russia and Ukraine. The Global Peace Index 2025 shows that there is less peace in the world than ever before and the decline in peace is at its highest level since World War II.
The Institute for Economics and Peace releases the Global Peace Index every year, which shows how safe our world is. The results of the 2025 study reveal the safest and most unsafe countries in the world. The countries that top the list of safe countries are those that have resilient institutions, low corruption and well-functioning infrastructure, which makes them ideal places to travel.
10 Safest Countries
Iceland has retained its top spot in the list of the safest countries in the world. The special thing is that it has maintained its position since 2008. The list is as follows: Iceland, Ireland, Austria, New Zealand, Switzerland, Portugal, Denmark, Slovenia, Malaysia, Canada.
The most unsafe countries according to 2025 are Russia, Ukraine, Sudan, Congo, Yemen, Syria, Israel,
Afghanistan, Mali, South Sudan.
In today’s rapidly changing world, world peace is a major challenge. According to the 2024 report of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), there are 12,121 nuclear weapons in the world, of which 3,904 are active. The US and Russia have more than 8,000 nuclear weapons, which increases the risk of world war. The Russia-Ukraine war, the Israel-Hamas conflict, and China-Taiwan tensions have further aggravated the situation. In 2019, scientists predicted that a terrorist attack between India and Pakistan in 2025 could lead to a nuclear war, which is moving towards reality. In the past, 26 tourists were killed in the Pahalgam terrorist attack in 2025. ‘The Resistance Front’, which is believed to be an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed responsibility for the attack.
India accused Pakistan of supporting cross-border terrorism, which led to the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, the closure of the borders, and nine precision strikes in Pakistan on 7 May 2025. There have also been clashes between India and Pakistan.
India is ranked 115th in the Global Peace Index 2025. India’s ranking was the same last year and has not changed in the past one year. However, during this period, the ranking of Pakistan, considered a safe haven for terrorists, has improved. Pakistan’s ranking has increased by one point and this time it is at 144th position. Pakistan’s friend Turkey is two points below it at 146th position.
The threat of global nuclear war looms
According to SIPRI, India and Pakistan each have about 170 nuclear weapons each, which makes the threat more serious. Pakistan’s political instability, the presence of terrorist groups, and anti-India policies have created a situation of threat for India.
China is Pakistan’s largest partner. It is investing billions of dollars through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. China is providing Pakistan with weapons, warships, and missile technology, which aims to encircle India and establish its dominance in the Indian Ocean.
US aid is contingent. The US gave Pakistan billions of dollars during the Afghanistan war, but this aid has decreased since 2018. The meeting between US President Donald Trump and Pakistani Army Chief Asim Munir in 2025 had given rise to speculations of US aid.
India adopts a policy of ‘strategic self-reliance’ in relation to China. India is balancing China’s increasing bullying through the Quad with the US, Japan, and Australia. Relations with the US are strong, but Trump’s closeness to Pakistan has made India feel threatened. According to the Financial Times, India’s foreign policy on the Kashmir issue is based on the fact that Pakistan should not be given the same place as India among world leaders, but now this seems to be very difficult in the face of Donald Trump’s ‘double-dealing’ policy. Trump has been repeatedly talking about mediation on Kashmir and Asim Munir is calling him a candidate for the Nobel Prize. These things are definitely troubling for India.
The Financial Times has written that Prime Minister Modi has made the mistake of relying on his warm personal relationship with Trump. Modi’s diplomatic strategy of building personal relationships, on which India has been relying on the US President and other leaders for the last decade, is now under question. Today the world is embroiled in many conflicts and a state of global chaos is the new reality, in which the US is facing many problems.
The Global Peace Index 2025 report says that unrest is increasing, especially in regions like India-Pakistan. India is at risk of terrorism and nuclear war from Pakistan.
