Destabilizing South Asian Region through Proxy Wars: A Myth or Reality

Writer By Muhammad Mudasser Iqbal

The UN is the world’s most representative forum for multilateral dialogue, built upon the ideals of peace, cooperation and respect for international law. Pakistan has consistently upheld these principles through its peacekeeping contributions, peace diplomacy and repeated calls for dialogue with its neighbors. In contrast, India’s aggressive postures followed by state-sponsored terrorism across the world in general and particularly in the region reveal a troubling contradiction to the very aspirations the UN seeks to advance.

“Pakistan is one of the most consistent and reliable contributors to peacekeeping efforts around the world.” _ Antonio Guterres (UN Secretary General)

Pakistan is the one of the largest contributors to UN peacekeeping missions. Since 1960, over 200,000 Pakistani peacekeepers have served in 46 UN missions across 28 countries. Pakistani troops have laid their lives for global peace, earning recognition from the UN for their professionalism, discipline and humanitarian approach. Beyond peacekeeping, Pakistan has consistently advocated for regional harmony, whether it was opening the Kartarpur Corridor for Indian’s Sikh pilgrims or offering to resume bilateral dialogue without preconditions to hosting 4.5 million Afghan’s refugees over four decade. It has repeatedly reiterated that peace in South Asia is not only necessary but possible-if all parties commit to dialogue and justice.

New Delhi has been involved in global and regional state sponsored terrorism. In 2023, Canadian PM Justin Trudeau openly stated that Indian government was linked to the assassination of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen advocating for Khalistan. This marked one of the most serious allegations ever made against India by a Western democracy. The US Department of Justice in late 2023 revealed a plot to assassinate Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a US citizen and leader of the Khalistan movement. According to official statements, the conspiracy was traced back to individuals connected to the Indian state. The Sikh diaspora in the UK and Australia have also accused Indian agencies of intimidation, surveillance and harassment. During the 1980s, India’s Intelligence agency RAW trained and supported Tamil militant groups, including LTTE, under the excuse of protecting Tamil minorities. Later, India shifted its policy, but its early involvement contributed to a prolonged civil war in Sri Lanka. Nepalese officials and analysts have often accused India of interfering in its internal affairs by backing political factions or movements aligned with New Delhi’s strategic interests. India has also been accused of covertly pressuring Kathmandu through supporting groups during border disputes. Even Times of India reported that Muhammad Yunus had alleged Indian hegemony and conspiracies to undermine Bangladesh. Muhammad Yunus also blamed India for interfering in the internal matters of Bangladesh through misinformation on India media.

Rather than reciprocating peace efforts, India has adopted a confrontational and accusatory stance. It repeatedly blames Pakistan for acts of terrorism without presenting credible evidence may it be the Pulwama incident (2019) or killing of 26 civilians in a recent terrorist attack on April 2025 in Indian occupied Kashmir at Pahalgam, India launched a series of strong retaliatory actions against Pakistan. The international community responded with concern, criticizing the escalation and urging both nations to de-escalate tensions. As India denied the ceasefire, US mediation diffused the escalation.

On 11/12 night, Afghanistan’s coordinated aggression along the Pak-Afghan border coinciding with FM Muttaqi’s India visit, exposes a synchronized Kabul–Delhi game plan to destabilize Pakistan through proxy warfare and propaganda while Pakistan’s forces hold the line with discipline and precision. Pakistan alleges that diplomatic activity in New Delhi has coincided with kinetic operations along the frontier, a timing Islamabad interprets as providing political cover to hostile actors. Afghan forces’ simultaneous engagements from multiple provinces suggest centralized coordination, likely influenced by regional actors seeking instability.  India’s concurrent diplomatic outreach to the Afghan regime during active hostilities reinforces perceptions of a two-front pressure tactic against Pakistan.

Ironically, while India accuses Pakistan for cross-border terrorism, there is mounting evidence of India’s state sponsored terrorism in Pakistan. Indian intelligence operators have been linked to the funding, training and arming of terrorist organizations such as Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and Therik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). On 11 August 2025, the Department of State designated BLA and its alias, The Majeed Brigade, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO), and adding the Majeed Brigade as an alias to BLA’s previous Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) designation.  The arrest and confession of Kulbhushan Jadhav, an Indian serving Navay officer captured in Balochistan, revealed India’s covert operations to destabilize Pakistan. He admitted working on behalf of RAW to support terrorism in Balochistan and disrupt CPEC projects. This duplicity-accusing Pakistan of terrorism while allegedly funding insurgent groups on Pakistan soil-makes a mockery of India’s claims to be a responsible regional power.

Continued militarization of India’s occupied Kashmir, human rights abuses in the region and unwillingness to engage in meaningful dialogue are obvious violations of both international law and the UNGA’s vision. Moreover, supporting proxy groups to provoke unrest in neighboring countries is a severe breach of the UN Charter Article 2(4), which prohibits the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state. For South Asia to achieve lasting peace, the international community must recognize and address the root causes of instability-chiefly, India’s aggressive postures and its covert interference in her neighboring states. It’s imperative that the UN and its members states take a consistent and unbiased approach, holding all states accountable to the same standards of peace, dialogue and non-aggression.

Pakistan, despite being a frontline state in the fight against terrorism and a dedicated UN peacekeeping contributor, remains a victim of Indian aggression and misinformation. As a responsible member of international community, Pakistan has not only promoted global peace through its peacekeeping missions but has also paid a heavy price in blood and resources while combating terrorism on its own soil. No other country has suffered as much, nor shown as much resilience, in the face of hybrid warfare, cross-border terrorism and political hostility as Pakistan has. The contrast between Pakistan’s call for dialogue and India’s repeated provocations illustrates a serious deviation from the UNGA’s aspiration for a peaceful and cooperative world order.

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