In the earliest hours of the morning on Wednesday, India launched missile attacks against nine sites in Pakistan and Pakistani-administered Kashmir, escalating the longstanding tensions between India and Pakistan into a significant conflict.

Following the Pahalgam terror attacks of Tuesday, the Indian government has decided to further downgrade relations with Pakistan and hold in abeyance the Indus Waters Treaty. 

Foreign policy is an extension of domestic policies — geared to maximize benefits. While the defense of sovereignty, territorial integrity and economic development are constants, these need to be pursued intelligently, according to the circumstances and thus require constant adjustments. 

While clear pathways for normalizing relations between Pakistan and India exist, any suggestion to this effect evokes considerable anxiety.