What is the Difference Between India and Pakistan?

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India and Pakistan are neighboring countries that share a common history and culture, but they also have significant differences. Some of the main differences between the two countries include:

  1. Political System: India is a secular state with a stable democracy, while Pakistan is a specifically Muslim state with a history of military dictatorships and a struggling democracy.
  2. Economy: India has a larger economy and is significantly larger in size than Pakistan.
  3. Population: Both countries are among the top 10 most populous in the world, with India being the world's most populous country.
  4. Ethnic Composition: The ethnic composition of the two countries is different, with India being 80 percent Hindu and 13 percent Muslim, while Pakistan is 45 percent Punjabi, 15 percent Pashtun, and 15 percent Sindhi.
  5. Conflicts: India and Pakistan have fought several wars since their independence, mainly over the disputed territory of Kashmir.
  6. Nuclear Weapons: Both countries are nuclear powers and have not signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
  7. Cricket: Both nations have a fierce rivalry in cricket, which is an unofficial national sport in both countries.
  8. Languages: While both countries have a rich linguistic heritage, Pakistan officially recognizes Urdu as its national language, whereas India has Hindi as its official language.

Comparative Table: India vs Pakistan

Here is a table that highlights some differences between India and Pakistan:

Feature India Pakistan
Food Predominantly vegetarian More non-vegetarian dishes
Language (scripts) Devanagari Urdu (Nastaleeq)
Language (languages) Hindi and other regional languages Urdu and other regional languages
Religion Majority Hindu, with significant Muslim and other religious minorities Majority Muslim, with significant Hindu and other religious minorities
Cuisine (expertise) Curry and vegetarian dishes Meat-based dishes
Geography (northern regions) Similar to Pakistan Fairly similar to Pakistan
Geography (southern regions) Distinct from Pakistan Distinct from Pakistan
Street cleanliness Generally more crowded and less clean Generally cleaner
Stray animals Many stray animals Very few stray animals
Driving safety Less strict enforcement of traffic rules Stricter enforcement of traffic rules
Alcohol availability Available, but with varying degrees of restriction Not available in most places
Women's presence in public More women out and about on the streets Fewer women out and about on the streets

Please note that these differences are compiled from a traveler's perspective and may not be exhaustive or universally applicable.