India’s extended neighbourhood is increasingly shaped by shifting security alignments. Discuss the implications of the Saudi–Pakistan defence pact. How should India recalibrate its strategic calculus?
Kartavya Desk Staff
Topic: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests
Topic: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests
Q4. India’s extended neighbourhood is increasingly shaped by shifting security alignments. Discuss the implications of the Saudi–Pakistan defence pact. How should India recalibrate its strategic calculus? (10 M)
Difficulty Level: Medium
Reference: NIE
Why the question The recent Saudi–Pakistan defence pact has raised concerns about shifting regional alignments in India’s extended neighbourhood, prompting debate on its security and diplomatic implications. Key Demand of the question The question requires discussing the implications of the pact for India’s security and foreign policy, and suggesting how India should recalibrate its strategic calculus in response. Structure of the Answer: Introduction Briefly highlight the idea of extended neighbourhood and why West Asia matters to India’s security and diaspora. Body Implications of the Saudi–Pakistan defence pact – Cover aspects of regional balance, security concerns, diaspora risks, and counter-terrorism. How India should recalibrate its strategic calculus – Suggest India’s policy tools like strengthening Gulf ties, multilateral engagement, maritime presence, and balancing through energy and strategic partnerships. Conclusion Emphasise the need for proactive, not reactive, engagement to secure India’s interests in a volatile regional order.
Why the question The recent Saudi–Pakistan defence pact has raised concerns about shifting regional alignments in India’s extended neighbourhood, prompting debate on its security and diplomatic implications.
Key Demand of the question The question requires discussing the implications of the pact for India’s security and foreign policy, and suggesting how India should recalibrate its strategic calculus in response.
Structure of the Answer:
Introduction
Briefly highlight the idea of extended neighbourhood and why West Asia matters to India’s security and diaspora.
• Implications of the Saudi–Pakistan defence pact – Cover aspects of regional balance, security concerns, diaspora risks, and counter-terrorism.
• How India should recalibrate its strategic calculus – Suggest India’s policy tools like strengthening Gulf ties, multilateral engagement, maritime presence, and balancing through energy and strategic partnerships.
Conclusion
Emphasise the need for proactive, not reactive, engagement to secure India’s interests in a volatile regional order.