When people hear about separatist movements in Pakistan, they often think these are purely internal issues caused by economic challenges, local grievances, or ethnic differences. However, the reality is more complicated, and a deeper look shows a clear pattern of interference from India. Over the years, India has used various tactics to fuel separatism in Pakistan, taking advantage of local vulnerabilities to serve its own strategic interests. This is not a mere accusation; multiple facts, reports, and confessions point toward India’s direct involvement in destabilizing Pakistan through support for separatist groups.
One of the most well-documented examples is India’s role in supporting the Baloch separatist movement. Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province by area, is rich in natural resources but has historically faced issues related to development and governance. India has used these grievances as an opportunity to stir unrest in the region. In 2016, a serving Indian Navy officer, Commander Kulbhushan Jadhav, was arrested inside Balochistan. Jadhav later admitted that he was working for India’s intelligence agency, RAW, and was tasked with creating instability in Balochistan and Karachi. His confession was broadcast internationally, leaving little doubt about India’s involvement in Balochistan’s separatist activities.
This was not the first or only time India has been linked to separatist violence in Pakistan. Reports from multiple international sources, including The Guardian and The Diplomat, have indicated that India has provided funding, weapons, and training to Baloch militant groups such as the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) and Baloch Republican Army (BRA). These groups have carried out attacks on Pakistani security forces, infrastructure projects, and even Chinese workers involved in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). In 2020, the EU DisinfoLab exposed a vast network of fake news websites and NGOs, many linked to Indian interests, actively spreading anti-Pakistan propaganda and promoting the Baloch separatist narrative on international platforms.
Balochistan is not the only place where India’s fingerprints can be found. In the province of Sindh, separatist elements like the Sindhudesh Revolutionary Army (SRA) have carried out terrorist attacks targeting law enforcement, Chinese nationals, and infrastructure. In 2022, the SRA carried out a series of coordinated attacks across Sindh. Investigations by Pakistan’s law enforcement agencies revealed links between the SRA and funding channels traced back to India. Indian media outlets and social media accounts openly glorified these attacks, further exposing the connection between separatist groups and Indian networks.
India’s strategy of supporting separatism in Pakistan is part of a broader policy known as the “Doval Doctrine,” named after India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. Doval has publicly spoken about the idea of using terrorism to counter terrorism — essentially implying that India could use proxies to destabilize its neighboring countries. This doctrine became more visible after the 2014 rise of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), under which India’s intelligence operations against Pakistan have grown more aggressive. Indian officials have openly discussed the idea of isolating Pakistan internationally and supporting elements that create internal instability within the country.
Numbers also tell a story. Between 2016 and 2023, there were more than 1,000 reported separatist attacks in Balochistan alone, resulting in the deaths of over 500 security personnel and civilians. According to Pakistan’s National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA), a significant portion of these attacks were traced back to militant camps operating across the border in Afghanistan, where Indian intelligence has maintained a strong footprint. Several Baloch separatist leaders openly lived in exile in India-friendly countries, giving interviews to Indian media outlets where they praised India’s support for their cause.
This Indian strategy is not new. A look back at history shows that India has consistently followed a pattern of exploiting internal divisions in neighboring countries. The most prominent example remains India’s support for separatists in East Pakistan, which eventually led to the creation of Bangladesh in 1971. At that time, India actively provided arms, training, and sanctuary to Mukti Bahini fighters, openly acknowledging its role after the war ended. The methods India used in East Pakistan closely resemble what it is doing in Balochistan and Sindh today, though the tools have evolved. Instead of only relying on direct support, India now uses a mix of covert funding, cyber propaganda, diplomatic lobbying, and intelligence operations.
India’s investment in hybrid warfare, where conventional military action is combined with disinformation campaigns and proxy warfare, is also visible in how it manipulates separatist narratives. A 2023 analysis by social media research firms showed that hundreds of fake Twitter and Facebook accounts, many linked to Indian IP addresses, were actively promoting separatist hashtags like #FreeBalochistan and #Sindhudesh. These campaigns peaked whenever Pakistan faced political or economic crises, showing clear intent to exploit internal challenges for external gains.
What is concerning is that India’s actions are not just aimed at causing temporary disruption but at creating long-term instability. By fostering separatism, India hopes to weaken Pakistan economically and politically, diverting its attention from strategic issues like Kashmir. Moreover, by promoting violence in areas linked to key development projects like CPEC, India aims to discourage foreign investment and economic growth in Pakistan.
For an ordinary person trying to understand this complex situation, the bottom line is simple. Separatist movements in Pakistan are not just about local grievances — they are also being fueled by a neighboring country that sees Pakistan’s internal stability as a threat to its own regional ambitions. While every country has internal issues, the deliberate exploitation of these issues by an external power turns them into much bigger problems.
India’s involvement in promoting separatism in Pakistan is well-documented through confessions, investigations, independent reports, and even statements from Indian officials themselves. For anyone who believes in peace and stability in South Asia, understanding this reality is essential. Ignoring or denying this involvement does not change the facts — it only helps those who benefit from instability and conflict.
Author’s Bio:
Hamnah Maryam holds an MPhil in Defence and Strategic Studies and focuses her research on security dynamics, strategic affairs, and regional geopolitics. Her academic work explores contemporary defence policies, conflict resolution, and the evolving security landscape in South Asia. She actively contributes to research publications and policy discussions, offering critical insights into defence strategies and geopolitical trends.
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