Democracy is meant to be a contest of performance. Governments seek re-election by presenting their achievements, while opposition parties challenge their record and offer alternative policies. Voters are expected to judge them on matters that shape everyday life; employment, inflation, education, healthcare and the quality of public institutions. Yet this democratic ideal is often overshadowed by a more expedient political calculation. When domestic performance becomes difficult to defend, political leaders increasingly turn to external threats to shift public attention from governance to national security. The appeal of this strategy is straightforward. Economic difficulties, administrative failures and unfulfilled promises demand explanations; an external adversary offers a simpler narrative. By portraying the nation as threatened, leaders can mobilise patriotic sentiment, consolidate support and recast criticism as a question of national loyalty. The danger is that confrontation becomes politically rewarding, while restraint is portrayed as weakness.

India provides a revealing example of how national security can shape electoral discourse. During the 2019 general election, the Pulwama attack and India’s subsequent air strikes at Balakot featured prominently in political debate. The Bharatiya Janata Party presented its response to terrorism as evidence of decisive leadership, while opposition parties questioned aspects of the government’s claims and the political use of military action. The episode illustrated how a security crisis could become a defining feature of an election campaign.

In the wider debate surrounding India-Pakistan tensions, allegations and counter-allegations frequently intensify public........

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