For years, particularly since the unfolding of the anti-terror war in October 2001, apprehensions of encirclement by India and Afghanistan have been growing. For most of the time, Pakistan’s security apparatus viewed the growing Indo-Afghan American relations as an unusual “Pakistan-focused nexus” meant to “encircle” Pakistan. Much of Pakistan’s security doctrine has since aimed at preempting and neutralizing those threats emanating from its western and eastern borders. However, those apprehensions have assumed alarming levels in view of the recent
string of intimidating statements from the Indian prime minister to the defense and foreign ministers as well as the national security advisor. These have not only evoked strong reaction from Pakistan’s military and the civilian leadership, but also alarmed external players such as the United States, which believes growing Indo-Pak tensions, will also play out in Afghanistan and undermine President Ashraf Ghani’s peace mission.

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