Pakistan remains one of India’s most persistent geopolitical challenges. Born from a communal divide, its trajectory has been defined by instability, hostility, and a chronic inability to govern itself without invoking India as a threat. The complexity of this relationship demands a fresh assessment, not just of how we handle Pakistan but also of how we manage our global narrative, diplomatic strategies, and internal credibility.
A Nation Defined by Religion – And Division
Pakistan’s identity is rooted in religion—its creation is predicated on separating Muslims from Hindus. Yet, today, India houses nearly 172 million Muslims who live within a democratic, pluralistic framework. This not only exposes the false premise of Pakistan’s creation but also highlights India’s success in secular governance. The demographic comparison is stark: 252 million in Pakistan versus 172 million Indian Muslims—a difference of 80 million that shatters the illusion of religious exclusivity.
This contrast must be leveraged in our global outreach. Instead of allowing Pakistan to monopolize the “Muslim representation” narrative, India should consistently present its model of coexistence, constitutional rights, and cultural pluralism as the superior and more humane alternative.
Confronting Terrorism Without Losing the Narrative
Terrorism remains a key tool in Pakistan’s strategic playbook. From cross-border attacks to the export of radicalism, the threat is persistent. India has demonstrated a great deal of restraint in the face of provocation by focusing on particular threats without escalating the conflict. However, this restraint is often misread globally as weakness or indecision.
This ambiguity must end. India should: –
- Publicize intelligence evidence of Pakistan’s support for terror networks.
- Push for multilateral sanctions using diplomatic and financial channels.
- Create a standing international coalition that highlights state-sponsored terror, naming Pakistan explicitly.
- Increase investment in public diplomacy campaigns that expose the terror economy and its link to Pakistan’s military establishment.
The MEA and the Limits of Influence
There’s a glaring mismatch between the threat India faces and the resources we deploy abroad. The MEA (Ministry of External Affairs) has struggled to keep pace with global perception management. Hiring a single influencer in the US for $2 million is symbolic—yet wholly insufficient—compared to Israel’s annual $300 million public diplomacy budget.
India’s diplomatic missions must evolve from formal outposts to active advocacy centers.
This involves: –
- Training diplomats in strategic communication and influence operations.
- Creating a dedicated global Indian lobby infrastructure that mirrors the success of pro-Israel or pro-China efforts.
- Institutionalizing partnerships with the Indian diaspora—not as an ad hoc tool, but as a permanent strategic asset.
This approach should be replicated in Europe, Australia, Africa, and South America—not just the US. India’s perspective on terrorism, Kashmir, and Pakistan must be a part of every policy discussion in foreign capitals.
Empowering the Diaspora – Beyond Cultural Showpieces
The Indian diaspora is among the most affluent and educated globally. Yet, its political utility remains underexploited. Instead of relying on occasional events or soft cultural outreach, the Government of India should: –
- Encourage diaspora-led political action committees (PACs).
- Facilitate regular briefings with community leaders on key foreign policy priorities.
- Offer dual-use incentives (business + influence) for diaspora leaders who act as policy advocates in their host countries.
- Political influence is not about concerts and slogans—it’s about shaping legislation, committee hearings, and foreign aid decisions. We must professionalize this capability.
Clear and Credible Internal Communication
Domestic credibility underpins international strength. If a government cannot clearly explain its foreign policy to its citizens, how can it expect to convince the world?
India must develop: –
- A national communication strategy on Pakistan and terrorism that is consistent, fact-driven, and accessible.
- Independent think tanks and scholars who are encouraged, not censored, to debate and refine policy.
- An official media interface that doesn’t rely solely on spokespeople but leverages retired officers, scholars, and journalists with domain knowledge.
- We cannot afford a reactive media strategy or a silence that breeds confusion. The world—and our own people—need clarity.
Rethinking Hostility – Without Naivety
Should India be hostile just because we are angry? No. Should we remain passive to appear noble? Not.
The strategic posture must be calibrated. Where there is a need to respond with strength, such as after a terror attack, we must do so with overwhelming clarity. Where there is room for dialogue or negotiation, we should seize it—but on our terms, not Pakistan’s.
This means: –
- Refusing photo-op diplomacy that serves domestic politics in Pakistan.
- Maintaining back-channel dialogue with credible intermediaries, especially the military and business communities.
- Encouraging Track-II dialogues that can explore economic cooperation, trade, and climate-related issues—areas less politically charged but still valuable.
The Case for Revamping the MEA
The MEA cannot continue to operate with a Cold War mindset. The world has changed. Influence now depends on agility, information warfare, and narrative dominance.
Key reforms could include: –
- Rotating officers between MEA and the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting to align messaging.
- Embedding policy officers in major tech and social media companies to monitor and shape narratives.
- Creating a high-level advisory council comprising former intelligence officers, business leaders, and international relations experts to anticipate emerging threats.
- Arrogance and formality must be replaced with professionalism and urgency.
Time to Talk – Strategically
India’s long-standing policy of “no dialogue until terror stops” has reached a point of diminishing returns. Pakistan has weaponized this silence to play the victim internationally while continuing its subversive agenda. Meanwhile, other nations urge dialogue without understanding our context.
India must reframe the conversation
Solution 1: Conditional Engagement. Announce a clear set of public, measurable benchmarks Pakistan must meet for formal talks to resume. These include ending cross-border infiltration, freezing terror financing, and dismantling specific terror groups.
Allow low-level diplomatic channels to remain open for crisis management and de-escalation.
Solution 2: Offensive Negotiation. Use every bilateral and multilateral forum—from FATF grey listing to World Bank arbitration forums — to raise the cost of Pakistan’s actions.
Highlight the persecution of minorities in Pakistan, its economic fragility, and its internal repression.
Frame Pakistan not as a victim but as a failing state that the world should be wary of propping up.
Solution 3 – Realignment. Deepen ties with Iran, Afghanistan’s legitimate groups, and Central Asian republics to reduce Pakistan’s influence.
Increase intelligence sharing and military training with these countries to isolate Pakistan regionally.
Conclusion: A New Doctrine for a New Era
Pakistan is not just a foreign policy challenge; it’s a test of India’s strategic maturity. It is no longer viable to continue doing the same thing and expecting different results. The MEA must evolve. The diaspora must be weaponized—not for war but for influence. Diplomacy must be sharp, agile, and credible. Above all, India must start believing in its own ability to lead, not react.
It’s time to stop treating Pakistan as an enigma. It’s a state with known behaviors, actors, and predictable cycles. What needs to change is how we deal with it—intelligently, consistently, and confidently.