Foreign and Defence Policy of Pakistan towards India (2018-2021)

Abstract

This research is to find out Pakistan’s foreign and defence policy towards India under Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government (2018-2021). It accesses factors and actors as well as security concerns, role of regional and extra regional powers in shaping Pakistan’s foreign and defence policy towards India under PTI government. It also accesses available options PTI government had through which conflicts with India could resolve. With the change in government there is a shift in Pakistan’s foreign and defence policy towards India under PTI government. PTI 2018 manifesto stated that for lasting peace, conflict resolution and security route to cooperation is most viable between Pakistan and India. This research will help to find out PTI government foreign and defence policy shift towards India. Research is based on qualitative methods. Data is collected from both secondary and primary sources which includes semi structure interviews. This research finds out that Pakistan had open door policy towards India under PTI government and both military and civilian governments shaped Pakistan’ foreign and defence policy. The research also found that BJP government non flexible attitude and its unilateral action in Kashmir on August 5,2019 and India’s hybrid warfare against Pakistan are security concerns and major factor. The result also shows that US and China have some influence in shaping Pakistan’s foreign and defence policy towards India under PTI government.