India's rising defence spending fuels regional security concerns
Pakistan
India plans major defence budget hike, widening gap with Pakistan and raising concerns over regional stability as New Delhi accelerates weapons purchases under its Atmanirbhar policy.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – India’s rapidly increasing military spending is emerging as a major security concern for South Asia, driven by its policy and ambitions of regional dominance.
The Indian government is considering a 20 to 25 percent increase in defence allocation in its 2026–27 budget. A comparison of defence budgets over recent years shows a stark gap between Pakistan and India, with New Delhi consistently raising military expenditures.
India’s defence budget stands at INR 6.81 trillion, equivalent to about $78.7 billion, with 26 percent earmarked for new weapons and equipment. In contrast, Pakistan’s defence budget remains 1.97 percent of its GDP.
Following setbacks in recent military engagements, India is justifying further arms purchases, including advanced aircraft and systems, sourcing weapons from the United States, Russia, France, Israel and Spain. Analysts warn that this militarisation could intensify instability in the region, while Pakistan continues to ensure national defence despite limited resources.
