Relevance : GS Paper II
The nature of Southern Asian geopolitics is undergoing a radical transformation.
Great power competition in the region
- Russia and China are jointly and individually challenging the U.S.’s pre-eminence in the region.
- Regional geopolitics is increasingly being shaped by China.
Emerging features
- Neighbours tend to recalibrate their policies and old partnerships and alliances.
- A trust deficit exists between even seemingly congenial partners such as the U.S. and India, Russia and China.
- The rising war talk in the region is yet another contemporary feature of the Southern Asian regional sub-system.
Options before India
- It would need to balance its relations between US and China.
- India should take care of its energy and other interests in West Asia.
- Dealing with the Russia-China partnership will be crucial for India’s continental strategy.
- India need to balance carefully the strategic partnership between Pakistan and China.
Conclusion
Engaging in a delicate balancing game is undeniably the need of the hour.
