GEOSTRATEGIC SHIFT IN SOUTH ASIA: THE RISE OF POPULIST INDIA AS A REGIONAL POWER AND ITS IMPLICATION FOR PAKISTAN AND THE REGION
Keywords:
South Asia,, Hindu Nationalism, Hindutva Ideology, Akhand Baharat, BJP, RSSAbstract
The intricate interplay among Akhand Bharat, the Hindutva ideology, and the surge of populism and fascism in India engenders a multifaceted and dynamic political milieu in the South Asian region. Hindutva accentuates India's cultural and religious identity, while Akhand Bharat envisions India as a cohesive geographical and historical entity. The ascent of populist fascism is propelled by robust leadership and the enactment of exclusionary legislation. This phenomenon raises apprehensions regarding communal tensions, erosion of democratic ideals, and strained international relations as India ascends under leaders espousing these ideologies. The pricking idea is about the future of South Asian politics which is getting even more complex after the rise of populism in an emerging regional economic power i.e. India. Utilizing qualitative data analysis, this paper attempts to explore the enduring ramifications of India's ascent under populist leadership and delving into its potential impact on the political stability of the South Asian region. The paper analyses the issue in the paradigm of Power Transition Theory and suggests that the rise of populism in India will potentially lead to more instability in the already complex region of South Asia.
References
Ahmed, S. (2023). From A Friendly State To A Hegemonic
Neighbour: A Critical Analysis Of India-Bangladesh Relations. PalArch's
Journal of Archaeology of Egypt/Egyptology, 20(1), 654-678.
Askari, M. U., & Iqbal, M. A. (2023). Pakistan's Response to
Indian Naval Strategic Vision. South Asian Studies, 38(1), 21.
Banaji, S. (2018). Vigilante publics: Orientalism, modernity and
Hindutva fascism in India. Javnost-The Public, 25(4), 333-350.
Bukhari, S. S. H. (2015). Indo-US Strategic Partnership and
Pakistan’s Security. Strategic Studies, 35(3), 71-86.
Cohen, S. P. (2004). India, Pakistan and Kashmir. In India as an
emerging power (pp. 30-57). Routledge.
Dada, Z. A., Wani, M. D., & Shah, S. A. (2022). The impact of
pilgrim tourism on the bilateral diplomacy of India and Nepal and the mediation effect of people-to-people contact. Asian Journal of Comparative
Politics, 7(3), 495-506.
Hussain, E. (2019). India–Pakistan relations: challenges and
opportunities. Journal of Asian Security and International Affairs, 6(1), 82-
Kalyan, R. (2020). Eventocracy: Media and politics in times of
aspirational fascism. Theory & Event, 23(1), 4-28.
Karad, S. (2016). India‟ s Major Power Status and Its Impact on the
Relations with the Neighbors Pakistan and China. Arts and Social Sciences
Journal, 7 (157).
Kaul, N. (2017). Rise of the political right in India: Hindutva-
development mix, Modi myth, and dualities.Journal of Labor and
Society, 20(4), 523-548.
Khan, M. M. A. (2023). INDIA-US STRATEGIC
CONVERGENCE: IMPLICATIONS FOR STRATEGIC BALANCE IN
SOUTH ASIA. NDU Journal, 37, 46-58.
Khan, R., Muzaffar, M., & Mustafa, G. (2022). Pakistan-India
Water Conflict: A Causal Analysis.Annals of Social Sciences and
Perspective, 3(1), 43-51.
Leidig, E. (2020). Hindutva as a variant of right-wing
extremism. Patterns of Prejudice, 54(3), 215-237.
Malik, M. S., & Khan, H. U. (2018). Regional security threats to
Pakistan: A critical review. Pakistan journal of History and Culture, 39(2),
-175.
Midha, N. (2023). “From Attock to Cuttack and from Kashmir to
Kanyakumari:” Understanding Akhand Bharat in terms of Ontological
Mohan, C. R. (2006). India and the Balance of Power. Foreign
affairs, 17-32.
Sajjad, N., Munir, T., & Batool, S. (2022). Indian Hegemonic
Design in South Asia: Implication for Regional Stability.Global
Shamshad, R. (2013). Akhand Bharat and the Demographic Threat:
Positions of the Sangh Parivar on Muslim Bangladeshi Migration into India.
In Rethinking India: Perceptions from Australia. Readworthy Publications
(P) Ltd..
Vasani, H. (2023). International water law and hydropolitics: an
enquiry into the water conflict between India and Nepal.Water
International, 48(2), 259-281.
Zwanenberg, R. V. (2022). Hindu Nationalism: BJP in Historical
and Comparative Perspective of Fascism. Policy Perspectives.
