Paper: GS – II, Subject: International Relations, Topic: India and its neighbourhood, Issue: Triangular power dynamics among U.S, India and Pakistan.
Context:
In the context of the Triangular power dynamics power between India, Pakistan, and the U.S., India needs to reflect on evolving geostrategic alignments, historical legacies, and national interests.
Key Highlights:
U.S. Strategic Recalibration:
- Renewed outreach to Pakistan: Trump’s outreach to Pakistan’s Army Chief suggests a revival of Cold War-style diplomacy.
- Leverage Pakistan: Aims to use Pakistan as a strategic interlocutor, especially in relation to Afghanistan and China.
- Diluted stance towards India: U.S. appears less committed to India’s aspiration of a principled liberal international order.
Earlier approach:
- Blunt condemnation of Pakistan’s duplicity in counterterrorism.
- Strategic convergence with India, particularly against China.
Yet, recent developments show Pakistan re-entering U.S. strategic calculus, despite its negative global image.
India’s Concerns:
- Distrust Toward U.S.-Pakistan Rapprochement: India perceives Trump’s Pakistan outreach as undermining India’s security architecture in South Asia.
- Blow to India-U.S. ties: to India’s hard-won diplomatic credibility and strategic trust with the U.S.
- Military-Driven Diplomacy: Pakistan Army now seen as central pillar of foreign policy, bypassing civilian government. It aims to leverage geopolitical position amid U.S.-China rivalry.
- China Factor: Sino-Pak axis gains strategic coherence, raising Indian concerns over a two-front threat.
- U.S. Partisan Balancing Act: U.S. seeks to retain influence in Pakistan and Afghanistan without derailing ties with India which reflects America’s interest-based realism, moving away from value-based partnerships.
- South Asian Volatility: The triangular dynamic contributes to increased regional instability and the emergence of new diplomatic challenges for India.
India’s response:
- India’s approach marked by Kinetic retaliation, diplomatic marginalization of Pakistan and reaffirmation of zero-tolerance to terrorism.
Conclusion:
India’s diplomatic tightrope continues as U.S. plays a balancing game.India needs a nuanced strategic policy, avoiding overreliance on American support through a push for self-reliance in defense and deepening ties with like-minded countries.
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