India is re-hyphenating itself with Pakistan all over again. It needs a new 3D strategy

They are in a tight strategic alliance which is today, perhaps the strongest in the world after America and Israel. Yet they're different countries, with shared interests but different priorities. For three decades de-hyphenation from Pakistan has been the centre-point of our grand strategy. But we can't move away from Pakistan physically or strategically. As Atal Bihari Vajpayee's immortal line goes, 'you cannot choose your neighbours'. India is particularly 'blessed' in that respect, with two big hostile nuclear-armed neighbours. You have to have the wherewithal to deal with them. Ideally, one at a time but be prepared in case they…