Balochistan: Bharat’s Bargaining Chip to Contain Pakistan Sponsored Terrorism

Paromita Das
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 19th May: Nestled in the southwestern corner of Pakistan, Balochistan is a land of paradox—vast, mineral-rich, strategically located, yet plagued by neglect and unrest. Stretching across nearly 44% of Pakistan’s territory, this province holds within its Rocky Mountains and barren deserts a wealth of natural resources—gold, copper, natural gas, rare earth elements, and untapped oil fields. Its coastline houses Gwadar Port, a linchpin in China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), making it not just Pakistan’s economic artery, but also Beijing’s geostrategic anchor in the Indian Ocean.

But this very richness is also its curse.

While the people of Balochistan remain some of the poorest and most marginalized in Pakistan, the Pakistani state and Chinese enterprises continue to reap the rewards. This exploitation, with little reinvestment in local development, fuels a decades-long insurgency and rising calls for independence. And amid this geopolitical storm, Bharat finds a silent but potent opportunity—a non-violent strategic countermeasure to Pakistan’s persistent support for cross-border terrorism.

Bharat doesn’t need boots on the ground. Balochistan, with its volatile history and suppressed population, serves as a powerful bargaining chip, one that could reshape the balance of power in South Asia if played wisely. This is more than diplomacy—it’s strategic deterrence at its finest, and one Pakistan cannot afford to ignore.

Historical Background: A Nation Swallowed in Silence

Historically, Balochistan was not a natural part of Pakistan. Before 1947, it was composed of four princely states—Kalat, Kharan, Las Bela, and Makran—each enjoying a degree of autonomy under British Bharat. The most influential among them, Kalat, sought full independence after British withdrawal. In fact, Khan of Kalat’s decision to remain independent post-Partition led to serious diplomatic speculation.

Rumors floated about possible communications between VP Menon, a top Bharatiya diplomat, and the Khan of Kalat, signaling a potential Bharatiya influence in the region. However, in March 1948, Pakistani forces annexed Kalat, using military force and coercion. Balochistan was never a willing participant in Pakistan’s statehood. Even after being forcibly merged, the Baloch were given some local governance rights—but these were later stripped under the One Unit policy of 1954, a political maneuver to reduce East Pakistan’s growing dominance.

This policy merged Punjab, Sindh, NWFP (Afghania), and Balochistan into a single administrative unit—muzzling Baloch representation. Multiple uprisings followed, notably in 1958, 1962, 1973, and the most persistent one starting in 2005, which continues in various forms today.

A Natural Ally: Why Balochistan Looks Toward Bharat

Over the decades, as repression intensified and economic exploitation grew more visible, many in Balochistan have started to view Bharat not as an enemy, but as a potential ally. Several Baloch leaders have openly appealed to Bharat for support, drawing parallels between their movement and Bharat’s own anti-colonial struggle.

In recent years, videos and public declarations from exiled Baloch leaders such as Brahumdagh Bugti and Mehran Marri have made global headlines, calling upon Bharat to support their cause diplomatically and morally. During Bharat’s Independence Day in 2016, PM Narendra Modi made a veiled reference to the people of Balochistan, signaling Bharat’s moral and strategic interest in the region.

Baloch nationalists have even raised the Bharatiya flag during protests abroad, suggesting a deep-rooted desire for Bharatiya support and solidarity. Given this scenario, the Bharat-Balochistan axis is not just a fantasy but a rising possibility in South Asia’s geopolitical chessboard.

The Realpolitik: Why Bharat Holds the Baloch Card Close

Bharat officially maintains that it does not support terrorism—a stance aligned with its democratic values and international obligations. However, strategic ambiguity remains a powerful tool. As famously described, “Real power comes from not having to fire your weapon.”

Bharat does not need to overtly engage militarily in Balochistan. The mere existence of the Baloch insurgency and the potential for Bharatiya involvement serve as a powerful deterrent. It acts as a tit-for-tat response to Pakistan’s long-standing sponsorship of terrorism in Kashmir and beyond.

Balochistan provides Bharat with strategic leverage. It allows New Delhi to signal to Islamabad that provocations in Kashmir can be met with counter-pressure elsewhere, especially within Pakistan’s fragile periphery.

The Strategic Stakes for Pakistan

Losing Balochistan would be an existential crisis for Pakistan. Besides its geographical size and rich energy resources, Balochistan is central to China’s Belt and Road Initiative. The Gwadar port, located in Balochistan, is pivotal to CPEC (China-Pakistan Economic Corridor)—a $62 billion project crucial to both Beijing and Islamabad.

If instability in Balochistan escalates, it threatens not just Pakistan’s internal cohesion but also its economic future and foreign partnerships, especially with China. This is a nightmare scenario for the Pakistani military establishment, which prefers the status quo over national disintegration.

Hence, Balochistan acts as Bharat’s unspoken ace—a pressure point that may never be fully utilized but will always be held in reserve.

The Global Silence and Strategic Vacuum

Internationally, there is little awareness or intervention in Balochistan’s plight. Human rights organizations have reported mass abductions, torture, and extrajudicial killings by Pakistani forces. Yet global powers—interested in maintaining stability or securing economic deals—often turn a blind eye.

This lack of global focus allows Bharat a rare strategic opportunity—to shape narratives, offer moral support, and gain leverage without inviting direct confrontation or global censure.

Should Bharat Get More Involved in Balochistan?

This is a question that cuts to the core of Bharat’s foreign policy doctrine. Should Bharat embrace hard realpolitik, it could significantly shift the regional balance. But such a move would invite international scrutiny, and possibly destabilize an already volatile neighborhood.

Yet, remaining silent also has its costs. If Pakistan continues to use terror as an instrument of state policy, then helping a repressed people gain self-determination isn’t just morally justifiable—it becomes strategically imperative.

Bharat doesn’t need to arm insurgents or ignite revolts. Simply maintaining diplomatic, humanitarian, and informational support could give the Baloch movement legitimacy and longevity. That alone could deter Pakistan from further misadventures.

Balochistan—Bharat’s Silent Trump Card in a Noisy Subcontinent

In a region riddled with cross-border tensions, proxy wars, and strategic deceit, Balochistan stands out as a quiet yet potent card in Bharat’s geopolitical hand. Rich in resources, riddled with rebellion, and yearning for recognition, Balochistan offers New Delhi not just leverage, but moral high ground.

Whether Bharat chooses to engage overtly or covertly, the mere idea of Baloch independence rattles Pakistan’s foundations. As long as Islamabad continues to bleed Bharat through sponsored terrorism, Bharat’s shadow over Balochistan will remain a powerful reminder—that provocations are no longer free of consequence.