 have been killed in an almost decade-long insurgency on the Indian side, which New Delhi says has continued due to weapons supplied to Muslim activists by Pakistan, a charge denied in the capital, Islamabad.
Almost a quarter of Pakistan's annual budget goes to national defense to maintain a half-million-strong military, which is glaring testimony to security fears.
A popular missile test
Most analysts said the April 6 launch would be well received at home where public opinion largely favors a strong defense.
The missile test "is a very appropriate response to the threat Pakistan faces, and I don't think there's anyone in Pakistan who would oppose it," said Nasim Zehra, a widely read columnist on security, in an interview.
Pakistan, which is about one-fourth the size of India, was quick to extend an olive branch, suggesting that it was willing to cooperate with any other country including India to work for peace in the region.
Tariq Altaf, Pakistan's foreign office spokesman, told journalists: "We are willing to go the extra mile to achieve regional peace and security."
He denied the Ghauri was specific to any country, adding, "We have developed this in terms of our own security needs...."
In the past, the United States has claimed China helped supply missile technology to Pakistan, a charge both countries deny.
After the missile test, opinion is divided over whether the two countries should resume a dialogue between senior officials that was effectively suspended last year.
Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and former Indian Prime Minister Inder Kumar Gujral had ordered the resumption of formal discussions between their foreign secretaries. But in recent months, the prospects for continued discussions have been diminished.
No warming in sight
Pakistani officials say that the BJP's hostile words, such as the recent statement on the nuclear issue, have made it almost impossible for Islamabad to foresee relations warming up any time soon.
One government official who spoke on the condition of anonymity said: "If India, the bigger neighbor, continues with harsh words, it would be very difficult for us to consider resuming our dialogue."