INDIA’S foreign policy towards Pakistan has witnessed a decisive strategic pivot from conventional military posturing to the deliberate use of hybrid warfare and proxy militancy.
This shift reflects India’s growing realization that direct military confrontation with Pakistan has consistently failed to deliver its strategic objectives.
Consequently, New Delhi has resorted to subversion through non-state actors, most notably supporting groups like the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), in an attempt to destabilize Pakistan from within.
Evidence of Indian involvement in sponsoring anti-Pakistan militant proxies has been documented through diplomatic channels and intelligence disclosures.
These activities not only violate the sovereignty of a neighbouring state but also erode the foundational norms of international conduct India claims to uphold.
By weaponizing terrorism for geopolitical gain, India risks serious reputational costs on the global stage.
Balochistan, a region India frequently highlights in its disinformation campaigns, remains a critical focus of these efforts.
However, the narrative of widespread insurgency is largely manufactured.
While localized security challenges exist, they are neither representative of the broader Baloch population nor indicative of systemic dissent.
Significant socio-economic investments under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the active participation of Baloch citizens in Pakistan’s democratic processes reflect the ground reality, contradicting India’s portrayal of the province as a separatist stronghold.
Pakistan’s response has been rooted in a combination of precise counter-terrorism operations and strategic socio-political initiatives aimed at addressing both security and developmental needs.
The Pakistani state has demonstrated a consistent commitment to internal stability through lawful and proportionate measures, successfully neutralizing several foreign-sponsored insurgent networks without compromising civil governance structures.
The implications of India’s proxy warfare extend beyond bilateral tensions.
By fostering instability in Pakistan, India inadvertently threatens the fragile security balance of South Asia.
Escalating hybrid warfare not only increases the risk of inadvertent escalation but also undermines regional efforts toward cooperative economic integration and counter-terrorism collaboration.
Moreover, India’s covert destabilization efforts contradict its professed commitment to regional peace under initiatives like the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and its engagements with global counter-terrorism frameworks.
This policy dissonance exposes a gap between India’s diplomatic rhetoric and its operational conduct, calling into question its role as a responsible stakeholder in regional stability.
In contrast, Pakistan continues to advocate for peaceful coexistence, dialogue and collective regional security mechanisms.
Its resilience against subversion, combined with proactive diplomatic engagement, positions Pakistan as a stabilizing force in an increasingly volatile geopolitical landscape.
In conclusion, India’s proxy war strategy represents a dangerous escalation in South Asian geopolitics with far-reaching implications.
While intended to weaken Pakistan, it ultimately jeopardizes the broader regional security architecture.
Pakistan’s steadfast defence of its sovereignty, through both military vigilance and diplomatic channels, remains a critical bulwark against these destabilizing tactics.
For lasting peace and stability, there must be a collective international recognition of and response to, state-sponsored proxy militancy.
India’s actions warrant serious scrutiny not only for their immediate impact on Pakistan but for long-term security risks they pose to South Asia.
—The writer is contributing columnist.
