Potential Armed Conflict between Pakistan and India A Realis Perspective

Abstract

Dating back into history as both nations India and Pakistan got independence from British rule in mid twentieth century, the relation between two countries has been not so good that both nuclear armed states been engaged in tussles in terms of war and by blaming each other for act of terrorism and there has always been political, diplomatically and militarily contentions between two nuclear powers. The contentions between two countries has always been presenting on international arena as base points, one is act of terrorism and other the conflict on Kashmir disputed region for both countries claiming their own authority on that region. As in recent this year in 2025 the escalation heightened between two states, as the base point of escalation was Pahlgam attack and India blamed Pakistan for this act. This study as adopted the framework of realistic perspective as offensive realism which was given by John miershiemer and other framework which is about the security dilemma framework to analyze the contentions between two nuclear states also to determine what kind of forces which are contributing for this conflict.

As for the sake of good relations between two states there were multiple talks which were conducted for settlement of misunderstanding between two states and these efforts proved to be mediator for these two states. As theory of realism refer the ideas of upgrading power for security and provide the anarchical pattern for states and states make decision on rational choice and this theory also guide leaders for framing the behavior of states.

This study is conducted by following multiple models and content analysis. As we have included the analysis tool which content analysis of several policies and there were also the integration of knowledgeable people for better understanding as expert suggestions and there also strategic planning how troops can be deployed including other key areas like economy, budget and military strength. Major contribution and steps has been taken after the pandemic of corona virus which involved as economic hindrance in 2019 and other areas of tensions has also been heightened as terrorism, cross border tensions and support for backdoor diplomacy.

This research as conducted on both nuclear states as both are much better in this field and both state has the plus point in terms of strategic geographical location through which both state stable the deterrence by including other means like military and doctrines. As historically since Pakistan got independence and from the time when Pakistan framed its national security strategy, Pakistan followed the policy of conventional strikes and on the other side India has adopted the policy of first strike, so even a little signal lead to major conflict.

This research includes that, there is emergence of strategic studies in the region of south Asia and for this realist domain and theory of knowledge has been ever best to apply for coercive states. So there need to be robust system and there should be applied new models for settlement of these crisis. Realism theory is best for understanding of conflict like this in recent escalation.