For decades, relations between Pakistan and India have been marred by mistrust, hostility, and accusations. From territorial disputes to cross-border skirmishes, the two nuclear-armed neighbors have often found themselves at odds. However, in recent years, Pakistan has increasingly accused India of pursuing a broader agenda to destabilize not just bilateral relations, but the entire South Asian region. These allegations, grounded in historical animosity and fueled by emerging geopolitical developments, raise a critical question: Is India truly destabilizing South Asia, or are these claims part of a larger strategic narrative?
Historical Context of Pakistan-India Rivalry
The roots of animosity between India and Pakistan can be traced back to the Partition of British India in 1947. The division led to mass violence and the displacement of millions, leaving behind a legacy of trauma. The conflict over Jammu and Kashmir became the first flashpoint, leading to multiple wars (1947-48, 1965, 1971, and the Kargil conflict in 1999). While official dialogue processes have occasionally shown promise, the overall trajectory has been one of deterioration.
Pakistan’s Core Accusations Against India
Pakistan has repeatedly accused India of engaging in covert operations to destabilize the country and the wider region. The following are the key claims:
1. Sponsorship of Terrorism and Insurgency
Pakistan alleges that India is funding and training insurgent groups in Balochistan and other volatile regions. The Pakistani government has pointed to Indian consulates in Afghanistan as bases for these operations. In 2016, Pakistan captured Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav, whom it claims was a serving Indian Navy officer working as a spy and sabotaging Pakistani interests in Balochistan. While India denies this and maintains Jadhav was a retired naval officer kidnapped from Iran, the incident intensified diplomatic tensions.
2. Interference via Hybrid Warfare
Islamabad argues that India is using "fifth-generation warfare" tactics—including disinformation, cyber-attacks, and economic sabotage—to weaken Pakistan from within. This includes orchestrating social media campaigns to defame Pakistan globally and influence international opinion, especially after events like the Pulwama attack in 2019.
3. Support for Separatist Movements
Pakistan accuses India of fomenting ethnic divisions by supporting separatist elements in regions like Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Organizations such as the Sindhudesh Liberation Army (SLA) have reportedly received moral and material support from India, claims that New Delhi has consistently denied.
4. Escalatory Military Posturing
With India's increased defense spending and aggressive posturing along the Line of Control (LoC), Pakistan sees a deliberate effort to provoke and dominate. The 2019 Balakot airstrike following the Pulwama attack marked a significant departure from traditional restraint, with India claiming to have struck terrorist training camps inside Pakistan. Pakistan retaliated with airstrikes of its own, bringing the two countries dangerously close to war.
India’s Perspective
India strongly rejects Pakistan’s accusations, countering with its own list of grievances. New Delhi contends that:
Pakistan harbors and supports terrorist groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), responsible for attacks on Indian soil, including the 2001 Indian Parliament attack, the 2008 Mumbai attacks, and the 2016 Pathankot airbase assault.
India views Balochistan unrest as an internal Pakistani issue and denies any involvement.
The Balakot strike, according to Indian officials, was a preemptive act of self-defense following credible intelligence about planned attacks.
In essence, India frames its regional actions as defensive, counter-terrorism efforts rather than destabilization.
Afghanistan: A Proxy Battleground
A significant point of contention is the role of Afghanistan. While both India and Pakistan claim to support peace and development in Afghanistan, their presence often mirrors geopolitical rivalry. India invested heavily in Afghanistan’s infrastructure and education sectors, while Pakistan maintained influence through historical ties with the Taliban. Islamabad accuses New Delhi of using its Afghan footprint to train anti-Pakistan militants, especially during the Ghani-led government era.
With the Taliban’s return in 2021, India’s influence waned, but Islamabad claims remnants of Indian intelligence networks continue to foment unrest along Pakistan’s western borders.
Cross-Border Firing and Ceasefire Violations
Frequent violations of the LoC ceasefire agreement have heightened fears of escalation. According to Pakistani military sources, Indian shelling often targets civilian areas, resulting in casualties and displacement. India, on the other hand, accuses Pakistan of initiating firing to provide cover for infiltrators.
The fragile ceasefire reinstated in early 2021 briefly calmed tensions, but accusations and distrust continue to simmer just beneath the surface.
Information Warfare and Media Manipulation
In recent years, both countries have weaponized information. Pakistan alleges that India has developed vast online troll networks and fake news factories to spread anti-Pakistan narratives. A 2020 EU DisinfoLab report alleged a 15-year-long disinformation campaign orchestrated by Indian entities to malign Pakistan in the EU and UN.
India has responded by accusing Pakistan of running its own propaganda machinery via state-run outlets and social media. Both sides are engaged in a digital tug-of-war to win hearts, minds, and international legitimacy.
Impact on South Asia’s Stability
1. Militarization and Nuclear Brinkmanship
The presence of nuclear weapons on both sides means that even small incidents risk spiraling into full-scale conflict. The Balakot-Pulwama episode in 2019 brought the region dangerously close to nuclear confrontation, prompting global concerns.
2. Hindrance to Regional Cooperation
SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) has become virtually defunct, largely due to India-Pakistan hostilities. Trade, cultural exchange, and regional integration have suffered as a result. Smaller states like Nepal, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka are often caught in the crossfire of political and economic alignment pressures.
3. Economic Fallout
Ongoing tensions have prevented both India and Pakistan from realizing their full economic potential. Cross-border trade remains minimal. Intra-regional trade in South Asia is among the lowest globally, at around 5% of total trade, compared to 25% in ASEAN.
4. Terrorism and Counterterrorism Deadlock
Rather than cooperating on counterterrorism, India and Pakistan accuse each other of fostering militancy. This undermines broader regional efforts to combat terrorism and promote security, especially in countries like Afghanistan and Bangladesh that also face extremist threats.
The Role of Global Powers
Major powers like the U.S., China, and Russia play a crucial role in shaping South Asian dynamics. China’s close alliance with Pakistan through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is viewed by India as strategic encirclement. Conversely, India’s growing ties with the U.S. and participation in the Quad (along with Japan and Australia) alarms Pakistan and China.
These competing alliances deepen the region’s polarization. The U.S., historically a mediator, now appears more inclined towards India as a counterweight to China, further complicating South Asian geopolitics.
The Way Forward: Dialogue or Disaster?
For South Asia to stabilize, India and Pakistan must prioritize diplomacy over confrontation. The following steps could pave the way:
Reinstitution of Bilateral Dialogue: Restarting the composite dialogue process could help address core issues like Kashmir, water sharing, and cross-border terrorism.
Confidence-Building Measures (CBMs): Cultural exchanges, people-to-people contact, and military-to-military communication can reduce the risk of misunderstanding and escalation.
Strengthening SAARC: Reviving regional platforms can promote economic integration and reduce bilateral tensions through multilateral frameworks.
Third-Party Mediation: While India traditionally rejects foreign mediation, neutral facilitators could play a behind-the-scenes role in crisis de-escalation.
Conclusion
Pakistan’s accusations against India reflect a deep-rooted and complex rivalry that transcends borders and affects the entire South Asian region. Whether these allegations are entirely accurate or partially rooted in perception and strategic maneuvering, the consequences are undeniably real: economic stagnation, diplomatic isolation, and the constant threat of war.
If South Asia is to move beyond this cycle of instability, both nations must reimagine their roles—not as enemies vying for dominance, but as stakeholders in a shared future. Without such a shift, the dream of a peaceful, prosperous South Asia will remain elusive, and the region will continue to be haunted by the ghosts of its unresolved past.
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