New Delhi, May 19 -- In today's geopolitics, international prestige is measured not only in terms of how rich in history a state is, but also in terms of its diplomatic viability despite being on opposite sides of global divides. This can be observed by analyzing the histories of both India and Pakistan since their founding in 1947, when British India was partitioned into two separate countries.

Diverging Beginnings After Partition

In the years following Partition, India possessed numerous structural advantages that enabled it to play an active role in post-colonial diplomacy. Being a large country and undergoing a relatively smooth and successful process of independence, India found itself capable of contributing significantly to the s...