Experts Sound Alarm on India's Rising Military and Regional Aspirations
Experts attending a seminar on Thursday discussed how India's expanding military goals, aspirations for regional leadership, and strategic approaches under the Modi administration present security concerns for Pakistan and South Asia.
The event, organized by the India Study Centre (ISC) at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), centered around the impact of India’s strategic policies on regional dynamics, with particular emphasis on their implications for Pakistan.
At the seminar, Dr. Naeem Salik, who serves as the Executive Director of the Strategic Vision Institute, highlighted that Indian security strategies draw inspiration from classical writings such as the Arthashastra and leaders including Chandragupta Maurya and Ashoka. According to him, contemporary Indian strategic thought revolves around pragmatic politics, territorial ambitions, and clandestine operations.
DG ISSI Ambassador Sohail Mahmood stressed that Pakistan's academic and policy circles must improve their understanding of India's defence policies and foreign relations. He noted that under Modi, India has shifted from Nehru's strategy of regional cooperation to a more militarised and dominant approach.
Air Marshal (Retired) Farooq Habib pointed out the increasing military footprint of India in the Indian Ocean along with their deployment of soft power, including cultural impact via media and diplomatic efforts. He mentioned that India’s foreign policy now exhibits greater assertiveness, thereby diminishing prospects for stability in the region.
Dr. Asma Shakir Khawaja, who serves as the Executive Director of CISS AJK, contended that India possesses a deep-seated strategic ethos influenced by Hindu nationalist heritage. According to her, India’s objective is to assert dominance over South Asia instead of ensuring equilibrium among regional powers.
Anum A Khan, who serves as the Associate Director of CISS Islamabad, addressed India's emphasis on cyber warfare, defense-related artificial intelligence, and strategic deceit. She cautioned that these strategies complicate peace initiatives between India and Pakistan.
The seminar concluded with a question-and-answer segment during which specialists highlighted the necessity for Pakistan to meticulously analyze India’s tactics and counter them through astute policies and diplomatic initiatives.
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