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Abstract
This paper investigates the relationship between state-making, institutional weakness, and foreign policy behavior in India and Pakistan. It argues that weak state capacity manifests in fragmented policy-making, reliance on external patrons, and difficulties in maintaining coherent strategies. The comparative perspective highlights how India’s relatively stronger institutions allowed for long-term planning despite internal challenges, while Pakistan’s fragile state structures produced more reactive and inconsistent foreign policies. The paper underscores the importance of internal political stability and bureaucratic coherence for effective external engagement.
Full Text
The body first situates the discussion in the literature on weak states and international relations. Section One outlines India’s state-making trajectory, emphasizing democratic resilience, bureaucratic continuity, and strategic autonomy. Section Two analyzes Pakistan’s institutional fragility, civil-military imbalance, and economic dependence, linking these to foreign policy volatility. Section Three compares their approaches to major powers, regional disputes, and multilateral organizations. Section Four identifies recurring patterns: India’s pursuit of strategic autonomy versus Pakistan’s reliance on alliances. The conclusion argues that strengthening state institutions is not only a domestic imperative but also a prerequisite for coherent and credible foreign policy in South Asia.