Pakistan outshines India in latest happiness rankings
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Pakistan has ranked among the top ten happiest nations in a new survey by Gallup Pakistan, significantly outpacing neighbouring India.
According to Gallup's latest Happiness Index, Pakistan placed 8th out of 44 countries surveyed, with 72% of Pakistanis describing themselves as happy despite ongoing national challenges.
In contrast, India ranked at the bottom of the list. Only 31% of Indian respondents reported feeling happy, while 34% expressed dissatisfaction with their lives.
The survey found that Chinese citizens topped the global happiness rankings, with 86% stating they were happy, surpassing several European nations.
Gallup Pakistan, which specialises in public opinion research, noted that the findings reflect a resilient spirit among Pakistanis even amid political and economic difficulties.
The Happiness Index is based on a wide range of metrics assessing people's overall satisfaction with life, emotional wellbeing, and outlook for the future.
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And this would augment deterrence for rational players on the Indian side, if any. Pakistan's Military, in South Asia's modern history, showcased the most integrated defensive strategy and real-time coordination. And just to reiterate, in military literature, a weaker side is supposed to have won an asymmetrical contest, if it denies outright victory or the attainment of war's aims and objectives to the stronger side, which Pakistan did to a larger India. So perceptually speaking, deterrence in the Indo-Pakistan context would, henceforth, be defined by the conventional military capabilities plus nuclear arms, and the fragility of psychological threshold on both sides, as discussed in my piece, 'India, Pakistan — redefining deterrence', printed in this space on May 22, 2025. And in Pakistan's context, deterrence would remain to be fortified by the Sino-Pakistani alliance, and the resolve of Pakistan's civil and military leadership, through Islamabad's 'quid-pro-quo Plus' strategy, to never let India prevail. So, peace, the perusal of which now squarely lies with a mellowed but bellicose India that still pursues its intended water wars, would remain elusive if we do not recognise each other's capabilities, and do not engage each other with dignity, mutual respect and patience, and not with ignorance or arrogance. Fourth. The Exterior Manoeuvre. Without going into the nuts and bolts of the diplomatic war, the Indian efforts to paint Pakistan into endemically bad light and as a state sponsor of terrorism, had very few takers, regionally and internationally. Indian diplomatic overtures focused on painting itself taller by telling the world its military response was calculated and non-escalatory and that this 'new India' would respond muscularly to the so-called terrorist attacks, without wanting a wider war with Pakistan and its people. Essentially contradictory iterations. No country condemned Pakistan for the 'alleged' terrorism; none appreciated India's 'carefully calibrated' military response. The world, contrarily, was preoccupied with the IAF's French Rafael jets being shot down by PAF's Chinese J-10C fighters using PL-15 E air-to-air missiles. Even the US after some initial ambivalence from VP Vance had to forcefully intervene to affect a ceasefire, without giving India the blank cheque of unilateralism and brinkmanship. Russia, India's traditional friend, withheld the 'expected' diplomatic support for India. 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Assam, Christian Mizoram, Nagaland, the Naxalite insurgency in the 'Red Corridor', Khalistan Movement in Punjab and abroad, and other insurgencies drive wedges in the India Union. Even the Brahman-dominated decision-making elite had and have reservations on the direction secular India has taken under Hindutva-laced Modi Sarkar. Indian security sector and armed forces saw removals, arrests and demotions during the stand-off; and its population is still experiencing arrests for supporting Pakistan, as per press reports. By comparison, Pakistan's inner front jelled like it always does in a crisis with India. RAW-financed terrorism in KP and Balochistan, and the expected political uprising by some political forces against the armed forces, in hilarious formulation of Indian intelligence, failed and failed miserably. Pakistan's national will, determination, resolve and motivation across the political spectrum and across the nation was tougher and firm. 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China's role in shaping future of global governance
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In a multipolar world, each country, regardless of its power or influence, should have an equal voice. Chilean President Gabriel Boric emphasized this during the China-CELAC Forum, acknowledging the respect that China showed to other countries. This respect, as the political analyst pointed out, was not just symbolic but had been translated into tangible actions. He further observed that developing nations had often been excluded from key decision-making processes, their voices drowned out. Chinese President Xi Jinping had echoed this sentiment at the 70th session of the UN General Assembly, emphasizing China's ongoing support for the interests of developing countries. Over the past decade, the commentator noted, China had continually acted on its pledge to amplify the representation and voices of the Global South. China's role in initiatives like the BRICS forum exemplified its dedication to fostering inclusive dialogue. 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Economic globalization: a vast ocean of interdependence The global economy had become increasingly interconnected, resembling an ocean where a ripple from one side could affect distant shores. As Yi Fan explained, China had been a driving force behind this interconnected world economy. Since integrating into the global economic system, China had championed mutually beneficial economic globalization. At the time, China contributed more than 30 percent of global growth and 20 percent of global trade. The political analyst argued that China had viewed interdependence as a partnership, not rivalry. Unlike the United States, which had often used tariffs as a tool against its trading partners, China had consistently supported free trade, cooperating with countries around the world. China's decision to extend zero-tariff treatment to 43 least-developed countries further demonstrated its commitment to supporting the most vulnerable nations. 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