The acme of statesmanship and general-ship is how to avoid an unnecessary war. “I do not like war, it is costly and the outcome is uncertain,” said Queen Elizabeth I.
The Indian government tried to win for the country the role of a global influencer like China, but ended up losing face as a regional bully. It overlooked the extent of Pakistan-China defence arrangement.
Also, the Indian strategic community, including those on the Pakistan-India Track II, failed to see the whole while focusing on the part. The result was a global embarrassment. To quote Ghalib:
MAJ-GEN (RETD) ATHAR ABBAS
ISLAMABAD
