Is Modi completely incapable of the word peace?
South Asia, once a cradle of civilizations, cultures, and love, today appears to be standing on a pile of nuclear bombs. Are the world’s two nuclear powers about to face each other?
India’s recent defense policies, massive increase in the military budget, and aggressive activities on the borders have deepened the impression that Delhi’s goal is to establish its hegemony by disrupting the balance of power in the region.
India’s war ambitions are nothing new. Ever since the partition, it has pursued a policy of confrontation rather than peace with its neighbours. Take the Kashmir issue, it is not just a territorial dispute but a reflection of India’s expansionist thinking. The wars of 1948, 1965, 1971, and Kargil 1999 are a continuation of this mindset in which India has tried to justify aggression in the name of “defense” each time.
The arrogant country has increased its military budget enormously in the past few years. In 2024 alone, India’s defense budget exceeded $86 billion—one of the largest defense expenditures in the world. Such a large investment reflects a specific strategy, rather than a defense need. Delhi’s policy is to reduce defense dependence and achieve self-sufficiency in local weapons production, so that it does not face external pressure or sanctions in any future military adventures.
The slogan of a self-reliant India is actually a step towards military autonomy. The country’s leadership wants to take its defense industry to a level where it can not only meet its internal needs but also export weapons and establish a foothold in the global market. This dream apparently indicates progress, but the hidden goal behind it is to achieve military superiority in the region.
From Pakistan’s perspective, India’s preparedness is not limited to defense alone. India has made a dangerous shift in its military structure—its military operations are now conducted in a coordinated manner under “theater commands.” This shift means that all forces on land, air, and sea can be focused on a single target under a single command. This is the model used in modern warfare for rapid, limited, but devastating operations.
India’s “proactive” war strategy is a direct challenge to Pakistan. This strategy actually emerged after 2001, when India decided that if there was a future terrorist attack or border clash, it would not “wait” but would take immediate and limited action. Under this, the Indian military would try to achieve its political objectives by carrying out small but swift attacks—attacks that would not start a full-scale war but would increase pressure on Pakistan.
An Indian military operation in May 2025, codenamed “Operation Sindoor,” was a practical manifestation of this policy. India called it a “counter-attack” against terrorism, while Pakistan called it a direct act of aggression and war. This incident is evidence that India has abandoned “strategic restraint” in its policy.
The danger for Pakistan is that India now wants to keep its operations at a level that is below the nuclear threshold—that is, not to wage a war big enough to require nuclear weapons, but to conduct enough operations to maintain political and military pressure on Pakistan. This approach is creating a dangerous instability in the region, because when two nuclear powers repeatedly play the game of “limited” wars, any misunderstanding can lead to a situation getting out of hand.
India’s inclination towards defense agreements with the West, especially the United States, is also part of this policy. Its presence in the QUAD alliance and its active role in the Indian Ocean are actually a source of pressure for Pakistan, in addition to competing with China. New Delhi considers the growing proximity of China and Pakistan to be a two-front threat to it—which is why it is increasing its military preparedness in a dual direction.
It is important for Pakistan to view this new military landscape as a reality, not just a threat. Along with conventional defense, it must now make rapid progress in the areas of information warfare, cyber security, and air defense. An effective response to India’s growing drone and missile program can be given not only militarily, but also at the scientific and technological level.
It is also a fact that Pakistan’s security cannot be secured by guns or tanks alone. A strong economy, a unified political system, and a stable foreign policy are the factors that can thwart the ambitions of any enemy. In response to India’s aggressive policy, Pakistan will have to emphasize not only reaction but also proactive diplomatic strategy—highlighting India’s war tendencies on the global stage and presenting the case for peace to the world with arguments is the need of the hour.
The people of South Asia want peace. Millions of people in both countries are mired in poverty, unemployment, and basic problems. In such a situation, if resources are wasted on war preparations, the loss will not only be to one country but to the entire region. India’s war ambitions are harmful not only to Pakistan but also to the internal stability of India itself, because the demon of militancy, once liberated, does not even spare its own land.
Finally, it is necessary to think that if India uses its military power to promote peace, investing in the welfare of the people instead of borders, then this region can become the most peaceful region in the world. But if the war madness prevails, then just a spark in the shadow of nuclear weapons will be enough to turn everything into ashes.
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