Indian planners assumed Pakistan’s domestic unrest, geopolitical isolation, and weak economy would be sufficient to overpower it and seize territory. That calculation has backfired. Pakistan responded forcefully militarily and diplomatically broadening its alliances. It also averted default, and there is now concern in India that Pakistan is moving ahead with CPEC 2.0 and SPEC while scaling mineral exports worth trillions of dollars, strengthening its economy and positioning itself as a major player. If there is a next round, it would likely be an act of desperation, potentially aimed at disrupting Pakistan’s maritime supply lines and other supply lines with the aim of weakening economic infrastructure.