Pakistan views proxy warfare as a cost-effective method to exert pressure on India, aiming to cause sustained, low-intensity damage that strains India’s resources, disrupts internal stability, and internationalizes conflicts like Kashmir. Unlike conventional war with risks of escalation, proxy conflict allows for ongoing hostilities without crossing the nuclear threshold post both countries’ nuclear capabilities development, as per a report.
The conflict between India and Pakistan has been marked by a prolonged strategy of proxy warfare spanning nearly eight decades. This approach involves insurgency, terrorism, and hybrid tactics to challenge India without sparking full-scale war, representing a deliberate choice by Pakistani leadership across generations, as highlighted in a report by ‘India Narrative.’
Operating through non-state actors, Pakistan has managed to avoid direct accountability by using deniable actors to achieve strategic goals, even when evidence of involvement surfaces. This strategy blurs the line between state and non-state responsibility, complicating international responses despite global bodies identifying and sanctioning militant groups in Pakistani territory.
Despite inflicting costs on India, Pakistan’s reliance on proxy conflict has not succeeded in its primary objective of changing the status of Kashmir. Instead, it has intensified animosity, solidified stances, and limited diplomatic opportunities. Moreover, this strategy has led to domestic instability and the proliferation of extremism within Pakistan, underscoring the unintended consequences of supporting militant groups.
The enduring nature of Pakistan’s proxy warfare strategy is attributed to its ability to maintain pressure without risking direct war and its integration into the strategic culture of Pakistan’s security establishment. Shifting away from this deeply ingrained approach necessitates more than mere policy adjustments; it demands a fundamental transformation in strategic mindset, the report noted.
