Defence and Diplomacy: A Pakistan perspective for a changing international order |
Across much of the world, security thinking has entered a new phase. Strategic competition among major powers has intensified, regional fault lines remain unresolved, and crises now unfold with increasing speed. In this environment, defence and diplomacy can no longer be treated as separate or sequential tools of statecraft. They must operate together, in balance, as mutually reinforcing instruments.
This reality is particularly evident for states located in regions where historical disputes, nuclear deterrence, and major power interests intersect. For such countries, stability depends less on dramatic gestures and more on careful judgment, credible capability, and disciplined engagement. Pakistan’s experience offers useful insights into how this balance can be managed under pressure.
From Pakistan’s perspective, defence provides credibility and deterrence, while diplomacy converts that credibility into restraint, stability, and strategic space. One without the other creates imbalance. Excessive reliance on force narrows diplomatic options and risks isolation, while diplomacy unsupported by credible defence invites pressure and miscalculation. Experience shows that national security is best preserved when both move forward together.
This balance was tested in May 2025, when India carried out military attacks against Pakistan. In a nuclearised environment, even limited actions carry the risk of rapid escalation and unintended consequences. Pakistan’s response demonstrated strategic maturity. Credible defence preparedness was combined with disciplined diplomacy, escalation was avoided, and communication channels were kept open. The situation was stabilised, and Pakistan’s standing as a responsible........