Pakistan’s Foreign Policy towards India: Exploring Diplomatic Engagement and Strategic Challenges (2000–2025)

Pakistan’s foreign policy towards India has been shaped by historical conflicts, political changes, and regional power dynamics. Therefore, diplomatic engagements have fluctuated between periods of tension and brief cooperation from 2000 to 2025. This study explores Pakistan’s diplomatic strategies, security concerns, and economic considerations while assessing challenges hindering long-term peace. It also examines key policy shifts through a mixed-methods approach, integrating qualitative and quantitative analyses. For this study, primary data consists of official government statements, diplomatic agreements, and policy reports, while secondary data includes academic publications, news articles, and historical documents. The study employs thematic analysis to explore diplomatic negotiations, political rhetoric, and international interventions, alongside statistical analysis of trade figures, military expenditures, and diplomatic exchanges. The findings of this study reveal that unresolved territorial disputes, cross-border tensions, and nationalist policies continue to obstruct stable diplomacy. This research provides policy recommendations by analyzing key obstacles to strengthen Pakistan-India relations and foster lasting cooperation in South Asia.