India must rethink its foreign policy to avoid escalating tensions with Pakistan, curb nationalism and religious extremism, and pursue regional diplomacy and cooperation in a multipolar world.

Following India’s military strikes on terrorist hideouts in Pakistan-administered Kashmir and across the Pakistani mainland—retaliation for April’s deadly Pahalgam attack that claimed more than two dozen tourist lives—the region teeters on the brink. While emotionally satisfying in the short term, tit-for-tat responses risk inflaming an already fragile situation. Both India and Pakistan would be wise to de-escalate even further, contain hostilities to border zones, and avoid inflicting civilian casualties that deepen resentment and prolong cycles of violence.

Given the destructive potential of both nations’ increasingly sophisticated arsenals, full-scale conflict is improbable but not impossible. Yet this standoff presents a critical, if fraught, opportunity: a moment to recalibrate not just military postures but also broader regional strategies—on trade, natural resources, and development. As the region’s principal actors, India and Pakistan bear responsibility not only for bilateral stability but for the trajectory of South Asia as a whole. Any escalation risks radiating instability across the subcontinent.

In an age of hyperrealist politics—where governments often lean on nationalism and martial posturing to shore up domestic support—it’s tempting for leaders to exploit foreign policy flashpoints for electoral gain. But the utility of patriotism as political fuel is finite. Democracies, in particular, must resist the lure of jingoism masquerading as strategy. South Asia, a region already strained by ethno-religious tensions and geopolitical volatility, cannot afford reckless gambits that jeopardize its delicate balance.

The notion that war offers a resolution to complex territorial or ideological disputes is not only naïve—it is deeply dangerous. What began as a territorial disagreement between India and Pakistan has metastasized into a religiously charged confrontation, amplified by nationalist rhetoric and opportunistic misreadings of history. The resulting climate breeds mistrust, hardens positions, and reduces the likelihood of durable peace.

Yes, terrorism must be eliminated with unflinching resolve. But this effort must go hand-in-hand with curbing religious extremism and fostering inclusive narratives on both sides of the border. Weaponizing religion as a foreign policy tool may yield short-term electoral dividends, but it risks isolating India diplomatically, as suggested by the muted international support following the Pahalgam incident and its aftermath.

In diplomacy, the success of foreign policy is judged not by how loudly a nation asserts itself but by the tangible gains it secures through negotiation, compromise, and trust-building. Trust is the linchpin of bilateral cooperation—and at present, it is in dangerously short supply.

India’s recent track record in regional diplomacy is, at best, underwhelming. While economic ties with Afghanistan have strengthened, their longevity is uncertain, given the fragmented Taliban regime. Strategic missteps, political flux in neighboring countries like Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, and a lack of a coherent vision have left New Delhi on an unstable diplomatic footing.

Much of the region’s skepticism toward India stems from its rejection of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), widely seen by South Asian states as a path to prosperity. While India’s reservations are understandable, it has failed to present a compelling alternative to BRI—a vacuum Beijing has eagerly filled. The neutral or noncommittal stance of many neighbors during Indo-Pakistan flare-ups reflects India’s diminishing influence and the complexities of regional alignment.

Across the border, Pakistan’s contradictions are glaring. Its leaders harbor militant groups along the eastern frontier even as they battle similar elements along the Durand Line. Daily clashes between Taliban factions and the Pakistani military have created a chronic refugee crisis. Islamabad must come to terms with a basic truth: economic development and terrorism cannot cohabit. Even Beijing’s strategic patience has limits.

In a multipolar world, no country can afford to pin its fortunes on a single ally. The post-bipolar global order demands nuanced diplomacy, diversified partnerships, and a pragmatic approach to geopolitical realities. For both India and Pakistan, geography is destiny. Their location offers immense economic and strategic potential—if only they can resist the pull of conflict and embrace cooperation.