SANCTIONS OVER STRIKES: WHY WAR WITH PAKISTAN IS A STRATEGIC AND ECONOMIC MISTAKE

Unlike military campaigns that might trigger cycles of retaliation, economic warfare allows control, escalation, and recalibration without bloodshed. The reality of us being neighbours cannot change, and war will never lead to peaceful coexistence.

- RAKESH K CHITKARA

In the complex and often volatile landscape of South Asia, India has frequently faced provocations from Pakistan, ranging from cross-border terrorism to diplomatic hostility. In response, the instinctive call for military action is understandable, but misguided. Those advocating for war with Pakistan must consider its grave economic implications in addition to human misery on both sides of the border.

A military confrontation would not only divert attention from India's developmental goals but also deliver a strategic walkover to China, discourage global investors, and jeopardize vital economic infrastructure situated dangerously close to the western frontier.

War is the mad animal of human history—untamed, unpredictable, and insatiable. Once unleashed, it rarely follows the commands of those who summoned it. It feeds on fear, nationalism, and vengeance with devastating consequences. Rather than fighting this beast head-on, India must work to tame it through diplomacy, strategic restraint, and economic leverage. In the modern world, true strength lies not in destruction, but in development and discipline.

THE HIGH COST OF CONFLICT

India, currently the world's fastest-growing economy, is at a pivotal growth moment. The country's trajectory toward becoming a $5 trillion economy and a manufacturing powerhouse under initiatives like "Make in India" may not withstand the disruption of war. Even a short-lived conflict can result in flight of capital, supply chain shocks, inflation, and waning investor confidence. The long-term effects could reverse years of economic progress.

I have always said that capital is a coward and does not stay where it is threatened. Historical evidence backs this.