Beyond Borders: India’s Approach to Regional Security Challenges

In a region where history echoes with rivalries and challenges like terrorism and maritime conflicts that threaten peace, India stands high as a stabilising force in South Asia. India navigates a challenging neighbourhood: Pakistan, sponsoring terrorism in Jammu & Kashmir; China, with persistent border disputes; Bangladesh, with political instability; Afghanistan, under Taliban rule after the U.S. military exit.

Illustration by The Geostrata

Each presents a unique challenge, positioning India as the only stable economic and military power in the region. 

Against uncertain geopolitical shifts, India’s strategies are shaped by its role as a regional player and responsible global power. India’s Neighbourhood First policy and participation in multilateral forums like ASEAN, SAARC, and QUAD, etc. is a testament to its increasing role as a responsible global leader, advancing strong partnerships with major regional blocs to bolster security and address emerging threats in the region.

India's neighbourhood comprises Myanmar, Nepal, Maldives, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka, and houses innumerable communities from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds. 

The region is also home to hundreds of languages, which indicates the cultural diversity of the region.

India's neighbourhood is the birthplace of major religions, like Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism, and is home to significant populations of Muslims, Christians, Jews, and Zoroastrians. South Asia borders the Indian Ocean, which is a major route for essential commodities like petroleum, crude oil, coal, rubber, tea, etc.

80% of India’s external trade and 90% of the energy trade take place through these sea lanes. While South Asia has experienced various conflicts, it is a complex study, as conflicts may stem from colonial legacies, ethnic diversity, and political dynamics.

A REGION MARRED BY CONFLICT AND INSTABILITY

One of the most defining aspects of South Asia’s geopolitical landscape has been the continual conflicts between India and Pakistan, because of historical disputes and territorial claims, which have led to three wars between the two nations.

The first war erupted over the inclusion of the princely state of Jammu & Kashmir, where the then-Maharaja Hari Singh decided to accede to India.

However, Pakistan opposed this decision, leading to a military confrontation initiated by the Pakistani Army through an attack on Jammu & Kashmir.

The second war took place in 1965 as a result of Pakistan's Operation Gibraltar, aimed at diluting India's position on Kashmir through a cross-border military operation.

India responded with a full-scale military offensive against West Pakistan, resulting in thousands of casualties and widespread insurgency.

The third war took place in 1971 as a result of a political crisis brewing in the-then East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), wherein the Indian Armed Forces helped liberate Bangladesh from ethno-linguistic genocide of Bengali Muslims at the hands of the West Pakistan-dominant administration.

Sri Lanka experienced a prolonged internal civil war between the Tamil and Sinhala Buddhist communities. The conflict primarily involved the Sinhalese-led Sri Lankan government and the insurgent group, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Meanwhile, Nepal faced an armed insurgency led by the Maoist Communist movement, which ultimately resulted in the abolition of the monarchy and the establishment of a people's republic.

Myanmar grapples with persistent conflicts, including military rule, ethnic insurgencies, the Rohingya crisis, pro-democracy resistance, and a worsening humanitarian situation. Similarly, Afghanistan faces ongoing instability, marked by Taliban rule, insurgency threats, economic collapse, humanitarian crises, and restricted civil liberties.

INDIA'S STRATEGIC PRIORITIES AND SECURITY CHALLENGES

India's strategic and regional priorities and interests in various conflict zones are shaped by its geographical location, historical context, and aspirations for regional stability and economic growth. Some of the examples are:

Pakistan’s Cross-Border Terrorism: A Persistent Threat to India: Pakistan's cross-border terrorism is a security challenge for India. Protecting the borders and ensuring internal security is top priority to prevent the spread of radicalisation and extremism by state and non-state actors based in Pakistan. India employs a multidimensional strategy, including diplomatic pressure, intelligence-driven counterterrorism operations, and targeted efforts to teardown terrorist networks by jarring their funding and logistical support.

Illegal Migration from Bangladesh: A Challenge to Demographic Stability and National Security: Illegal migration from Bangladesh is a challenge for India, impacting demographic stability, national security, and social unity.

States like Assam and West Bengal are witnessing demographic shifts due to irregular migration, posing challenges to resource allocation and employment opportunities. In addition, Illegal migrants raise national security concerns, as porous borders can be used by anti-national elements, increasing the risks of organised crimes, and radicalisation.

India’s Strategic Response to China’s Expanding Influence: Countering China’s growing economic and military presence remains a key strategic priority for India. Persistent border disputes along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) continue to challenge regional stability, necessitating robust defense preparedness and diplomatic engagement.

Additionally, China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) raises concerns for India’s national security and sovereignty, particularly regarding its implications for strategic autonomy and regional influence. In response, India continues to strengthen its defense infrastructure, enhance regional partnerships, and pursue economic initiatives that promote connectivity and development while safeguarding its national interests.

Illustration by The Geostrata

Myanmar: Civil War, Illicit Trade & the Northeast: Myanmar’s civil war between the military junta and armed ethnic groups threatens India’s security, especially in the Northeast. Illicit trade networks involving arms smuggling, drug trafficking, and human trafficking thrive along the porous border.

The Golden Triangle’s narcotics trade fuels drug inflows into India, worsening social and security issues. The refugee influx from Myanmar to Manipur and Mizoram strains local resources and heightens ethnic tensions.

To address these challenges, India is securing its border security, fencing key areas, and engaging diplomatically to stabilise the situation.

INDIA-CHINA STRATEGIC COMPETITION IN SOUTH ASIA

India and China have a strained relationship after the Galwan clash, while geopolitical differences in South Asia were affected by the matter, it had an impact on bilateral ties as well. India's sensitivity to the security concerns caused by China's expansion driven policies have been reflected in hastening its strategic shift toward the QUAD nations (United States, Japan, and Australia), to counter the control that Beijing seeks to exercise over the Indo-Pacific.

For India, the Indian Ocean Region and South Asia are of critical importance and it has been keenly investing in regional development projects and initiatives such as Chabahar Port and BIMSTEC, among others, to foster closer economic interdependence and engagement with neighboring countries as a regional partner across domains such as military, economic, and new and emerging technology.

India also sees China’s Belt and Road Initiative as an attempt to expand China's global footprint and counter India's influence in the region. Safeguarding its strategic interests, India is upgrading regional cooperation and keeping China from intruding into its strategic space, that is the Indian Ocean Region and South Asia.

China’s 99-year lease of Hambantota port provides it with a strategic position in the Indian Ocean, which has raised concerns over the power play in the region in terms of economy and security.

However, India’s attempts at counterbalancing are essentially in the form of economic cooperation and energy diplomacy with Sri Lanka, evidenced in the deals wherein India agreed to supply LNG for power generation and the establishment of a petroleum pipeline in Sri Lanka. The interaction shows how, with investments and partnerships, Sri Lanka walks that fine line between the two major regional powers while protecting its sovereignty and economic interests. 

Nepal’s Pokhara International Airport has sparked debate on debt-financed infrastructure, raising concerns over sustainability and financial viability. Though Nepal objected, China claimed it under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), adding to geopolitical sensitivities.

With limited flights and reliance on Chinese loans and contractors, the project faces repayment challenges, drawing comparisons with Hambantota and Gwadar. However, India has increased its connectivity through the Rail and Road initiative through projects like BIMSTEC and the BBIN Corridor.

INDIA'S DIPLOMATIC AND STRATEGIC ENGAGEMENTS

India’s regional strategy involves the concept of the 'Neighbourhood First Policy’ that emphasises maintaining economic growth, maintaining regional stability, cultural ties, etc. India is involved in international forums and tries to balance external assets in the region, mostly with China. India achieves diplomatic, economic and strategic relations with its regional partners to enhance joint cooperation and development.

Though the Taliban returned to power, India still continues to interact with it as well as with the Afghan people, delivering sustained humanitarian assistance to the Afghans in the form of food, medical supplies, and developmental assistance. While the political climate is changeable, India is determined to promote peace and economic strength in Afghanistan.

India, too, has stressed the Chabahar Port as it could be a vital trade and transit hub for Afghan businesses and an alternative means for trade and investment. India views such assistance as a means of facilitating economic opportunities and regional integration to support the long-term stability of Afghanistan, and at the same time, to ensure that its engagement is in line with principles of inclusivity and development as laid out internationally.

Bangladesh is India’s biggest trading partner in the subcontinent, and India is the second biggest export partner to Bangladesh, accounting for 12 per cent of India's total exports to the nation.

Petroleum and engineering material, cotton yarn, and other miscellaneous commodities are major commodities that were exported to Bangladesh. India’s FY24 exports to Bangladesh stood to the tune of US$ 11.06 billion.

India maintains economic engagement with Sri Lanka, with security cooperation playing a key role in their bilateral relations. Amidst Sri Lanka's 2022 financial crisis, India extended financial assistance, supported energy cooperation through an electricity grid connection, and provided petroleum aid. 

During the Sri Lankan President, Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s visit to India in December 2024, Sri Lanka assured India that its territory would not be used against India’s security interests. India also agreed to supply Sri Lankan power plants with LNG to promote clean energy.

The Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Corridor is a crucial part of India’s Act East Policy, as it links the northeastern states of India with the Sittwe port of Myanmar, reducing dependence on the Siliguri Corridor. Unlike Myanmar, India has kept a steady diplomatic line despite domestic challenges lest regional stability and deeper cooperation be thrown out of balance by economic, security and human concerns. 

India and Nepal share a strategic partnership focused on disaster management, infrastructure, energy and economic cooperation. After the 2015 earthquake, India provided a total of $67 million as relief assistance and $1 billion as reconstruction package.

In addition India supplies 600 MW of power which strengthens Nepal’s energy security.

Furthermore India-Nepal conducts cultural and educational exchanges which strengthen people to people ties, aligning with India’s Neighbourhood First policy to promote regional stability and development.

In conclusion, India serves as a key stakeholder in the South Asian region, upholding its commitment to regional stability and cooperation by actively engaging with its neighbors for collective growth and mutual benefit. India cooperates with South Asian countries to promote economic growth and cultural exchange, address security challenges, and maintain a strong alliance to counterbalance

China’s expansionist intentions through engagements in multi-forum platforms like QUAD. India actively engages with SAARC and BIMSTEC to foster regional stability, addressing disputes through diplomacy, dialogue, and cooperation. India’s partnership with South Asian nations is beyond trade and investment, but includes cooperation on energy needs, addressing climate change issues, defence cooperation, and promoting cultural exchange programs.

By leveraging diplomacy, economic collaboration, and multilateral forums, India continues to navigate the complexities of South Asia to secure its interests and uphold its vision of a stable, prosperous, and inclusive region.

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BY CHIRAYU UBALE

TEAM GEOSTRATA

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