India’s Foreign Policy towards China and Pakistan & Implications for the South Asian Region
Since its independence in 1947, India has aspired to be a powerful state. With a strong economy and military, India quickly established itself as a global force to be reckoned with. Despite its success, India has a history of strained relations with its neighbors, particularly Pakistan and China, which have resulted in conflicts and confrontations. Rather than following the advice to “befriend one’s neighbor’s neighbor,” India has made certain that its close neighbors, China and Pakistan, remain close friends. In modern times, India is regarded as a close ally of the West in its efforts to counter China, its northern neighbor, through various alliances and deals.
In 2022, China stood out as India’s most significant foreign policy challenge. Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Germany, Denmark, and France in early May 2022 solidified India’s determination to strengthen ties with its European partners. The year also saw an increase in tensions with Beijing, as Chinese forces crossed the Line of Actual Control once more. An unabated war in Ukraine put India’s great power relations, particularly with the United States and the European Union, to the test.
Despite his desire for stronger trade and investment ties with China, Modi has been tough on his powerful neighbor. India is most concerned about China’s assertiveness in the border dispute, its growing trade and defense ties with India’s South Asian neighbors, and the expansion of Chinese influence in the Indian Ocean, which India views as a possible encirclement. Unlike a similar statement issued eight months earlier, the joint statement issued at the end of Modi’s May 2015 visit to China made no mention of maritime cooperation or Asia-Pacific security.
The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project was deemed “not acceptable” by India in June 2015 because it would use infrastructure in disputed Kashmiri territory. He brought up the border dispute with his guest and publicly voiced his concern about Beijing’s neighborhood policies. He criticized China’s “mindset of expansion” in his electoral campaign. Vernon K. McLellan said that; “Diplomacy is the art of cutting another’s throat without using a knife”. Indian diplomacy serves as a model for how other countries employ this strategy. India has consistently attributed the hostile relationship to Pakistan despite Pakistan’s vigorous diplomatic efforts and media representation. But in reality, despite incidents like Kulbhushan Yadav’s arrest, violations of Pakistani airspace, and India’s aborted strike attempt in 2019, India continues to enjoy support from the West in South Asia.
A game is considered stable in Game Theory when two finite or infinite players compete against each other. The Kashmir dispute between India and Pakistan is a finite game in which both nations have long-term goals and neither is willing to give in. However, India continues to blame Pakistan for the strained relationship, claiming that they interfere in Indian affairs and support terrorism, while Pakistan claims that the people of Kashmir have a right to self-determination under UN Security Council Resolution 47. The Indian government’s decision to repeal Article 370 of the Constitution on August 5, 2019 deprives Indian-occupied Kashmir of its special status, and deadly clashes with China in Ladakh have only exacerbated the country’s problem.
India strives to maintain its position as a regional power in this volatile and ever-changing landscape. In South Asia, Modi’s government’s “Neighborhood First” policy takes center stage. Modi’s vision is to construct Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world as one family). Vaccine diplomacy in the Covid-19 era The two most important pillars for catapulting India’s Neighborhood First Policy are pandemic preparedness and development assistance based on mutual respect and equal partnership. India’s necessary help to South Asian countries in its pursuit of foreign policy objectives, particularly by extending help to Srilanka and Afghanistan in their times of crisis is a testimony to India’s importance of its “Neighborhood First Policy”.
To address the food shortage crisis, India provided Sri Lanka with a $1 billion credit and extended food supplies. While India’s budget for development assistance to Afghanistan is around INR 2000 million. As a result, the significance of India’s Neighborhood First Policy for the country’s future cannot be overstated. Maintaining strong and positive relationships is critical for promoting regional stability, peace, and growth. India is strengthening its position and advancing both strategically and economically by providing assistance and support. Prioritizing cultural ties and fostering close connections between states is also critical for long-term peace. Furthermore, meeting commitments and assisting the region’s development should be top priorities. Examining India’s relationship with its neighbors reveals that India’s pursuit of global power has not been without difficulties, particularly in foreign policy and relations with its neighbors. The root of the problem is not in the actions of neighboring countries like China and Pakistan, but in India’s own foreign policy goals and expansionist desires toward those states. India’s desire for expansion and dominance over smaller South Asian states leads to regional conflicts. India has border disputes with six countries, including long-standing disputes over borders, water resources, and the contentious situation in Kashmir. Despite these obstacles, India’s future success as a global power will be determined by its ability to balance its own interests with those of its neighbors. To achieve regional peace and stability, India must prioritize its relationships with its neighbors and engage in long-term diplomatic efforts to resolve conflicts and build trust. India must also prioritize the development of people-to-people connections and cultural affinities as the foundation for long-term and cordial relationships.
As one of the biggest nations in the South Asian region, India has a responsibility to set an example and work to create a stable and peaceful region. India’s ability to balance its interests with those of its neighbors and give regional stability top priority will determine the course of its foreign policy in the future.