Emerging Dynamics of Pakistan’s Internal Situation and the Security Challenge for India

As of now, institutions within Pakistan are strong enough to prevent both the balkanisation of Pakistan as well as the possibility of the state falling into theocratic hands. Pakistan is also unlikely to wind up terror operations against India as it considers the terrorist organisations to be its strategic assets. Internal disturbances within Pakistan allow it to maintain plausible deniability and the shifting of blame on to non-state actors over whom Pakistan claims it has no control. This paper argues that India’s response to terror will have to be well thought out. Waging war against Pakistan to counter its support to terrorist activities within India is not likely to work. It will polarise Pakistani society and push it further into the hands of fundamentalist forces. In any event, the battle to be waged is ideological and peace can never be achieved unless India displays the will to act.