Can Pakistan afford a war against India?

Amid the increasing tension between the two nuclear power neighbors, after India made air strikes in Pakistan based terror camps and Pakistan Air Force chose to retaliate in protest of this incident. In this critical situation the biggest question remains whether Pakistan could afford a war against India?

• Military Strengths: - 

With a whooping defense budget of more than $ 50 Billion in the year 2017, compared to that of $ 8.78 billion of its counterpart Pakistan, Indian defense is simply more cash rich. Now let’s have a look at both the country’s military arsenal.

• Economic Strength: - 

India and Pakistan both being developing nations hold very important global financial roles. Although with $ 2.948 trillion GDP India ranks as world’s fifth largest economy in terms of nominal GDP and 3rd in terms of purchasing power parity, on the other hand,  with $ 277.2 Billion Pakistan promises to become a stable economy and ranks 23rd in terms of purchasing power parity. With $ 400.2 billion foreign reserves, India has a strong economic backbone while with $ 6.636 billion foreign reserves Pakistan is still trying to stabilize its economy.

• What is Next?

Getting into war isn’t a good option for either Pakistan or India as it will clearly effect both the countries for longer term, though nuclear powered Pakistan seems little weaker in terms of present strength and past records. Although war is not a desirable option , but the probability of it cannot be neglected by any means . Comment your thoughts below what do you think about this current situation.