A bankrupt and starving Pakistan is pitiable now, should we let it go?

(Utkarsh Patel)

India’s relations with Pakistan constantly swings between compassion, war, and strategic maneuvering. The history of Pakistan is full of betrayal, terrorism, and mistrust. Pakistan's existence is rooted in the wounds of India’s partition. The country has consistently adopted an anti-India ideology. Today, when Pakistan is economically weak, politically unstable, and socially fragmented, a crucial question stands before India: Should we show compassion, choose the path of war, or resolve this issue permanently through strategic means?

The terrorism that Pakistan has unleashed on Indians cannot be forgotten.From the 26/11 Mumbai attacks to Pulwama, Pakistan has cultured its policies with the blood of innocent Indians. Showing compassion to such a country may seem morally right but is strategically flawed. Buddha’s message of peace teaches us compassion, but when the opposing country repeatedly betrays trust, the path of peace can be seen as weakness.

War is emotionally appealing but comes at a heavy cost. It affects not just the military and economy, but also deeply scars the social psyche. India defeated Pakistan in 1971, yet the terrorist mindset of Pakistan did not end. Today, Pakistan’s economic weakness and internal instability can bring it to its knees even without war. In such a scenario, India can opt for the path of strategic pressure rather than full-blown conflict.

Operations like Sindoor have shown that India has the full capacity to reply to terroism. But such operations only treat the traits, not the root cause. The idea of reclaiming Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) is emotionally satisfying, but it requires international support, economic preparedness, and military strategy. The delay in acting on PoK is not India’s weakness, but strategic patience. Isolating Pak on the global stage, leveraging its economic vulnerabilities, and targeting the roots of terrorism is an  effective approach.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s policies have strengthened India’s global standing. His foreign policy has significantly isolated Pakistan.The Operations like the surgical strikes have demonstrated India’s decisiveness. But is that enough? India now needs to move beyond reactive policies and actively dismantle Pakistan’s terror machinery. This requires a combination of economic pressure, intelligence use, and international coordination.

One opinion suggests that India should neither drown in compassion nor get carried away by the frenzy of war. A blend of Buddha’s peace and Chanakya’s strategy is what can offer India a lasting solution. By tactically capitalizing on Pakistan’s weaknesses, India can move forward in a way that neither revives terrorism nor spills innocent blood. The coming time will test Prime Minister Modi’s leadership and India’s strategic vision, and we hope that India will face this challenge with wisdom and strength.

(The author is a renowned entrepreneur and social worker. The views expressed in the article are their personal opinions.)