geopolitics NAVIGATING CHOPPY WATERS
Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Afghanistan President Dr. Mohammad Ashraf Ghani at Hyderabad House in New Delhi.
Doklam last year should have brought some urgent lessons for India to introspect upon and institute corrective measures including capacity-building. India must also endeavour to keep at bay China’s growing footprint in South Asia though the China-Pak nexus is here to stay in the future.
Cut Ties With Pak As regards Pakistan, notwithstanding efforts by successive Indian Prime Ministers to improve relations with Pakistan, the latter has shown no inclination to improve the turbulent relationship with its larger neighbour. Pakistan has vastly upped the ante in J&K, including along the LoC/IB and continues with its nefarious activities, both inside India and Afghanistan. Though war may not be an option in the minds of many, but, India has to now implement a firm, kinetic and a consistent policy to raise the costs
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for Pakistan—diplomatically, militarily and economically. It should be made clear to Pakistan that India does not need it and we should be prepared to cut off all relations with them apart from making all efforts to isolate them internationally. Pakistan is not likely to change and has to be taught stern lessons for it has shown no appetite to behave as responsible and good neighbour.
Use Soft Power Importantly, India must step up its soft power forays in its immediate neighbourhood including in Bangladesh, Nepal, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka. Notwithstanding Pakistan’s persistent anti-India efforts in the region, India, as the largest and strongest power, must make all out efforts to make SAARC an effective institution. Nevertheless, India must unstintedly support the current friendly governments in Bangladesh and Afghanistan.
March 2018 Defence AND security alert
Nepal, now under a pro-China leftist dispensation, requires deft handling by India.
Unify India As India deservingly strives for a seat on the global ‘high table’ and to become a ‘net security provider’ for the region, it will have to put its house in order and ensure clarity in its geostrategic aspirations, a unity of purpose and harmonious growth within. Political parties will have to rise above their transient, petty interests. It is painful to observe that some in India are adept at unnecessarily stoking the fires of communalism and castism which strike at the core of India’s internal cohesion, integrity and thus, progress. Notwithstanding the geopolitical turbulence around India, the current era is clearly a defining moment in India’s fortunes. We must not miss the India moment.