A National Security Strategy for South Asia
Abstract
The most striking characteristic of South Asian political relationships today is that they appear to be stranded in a Cold War time warp. To a far greater degree than other major regions, the two principal South Asian powers continue to think and act very much as they did before the Berlin Wall came down. Indeed, in many ways, both India and Pakistan have good reason to regret the end of the Cold War. Certainly East-West tension provided the two nations with a fancy instrument for manipulating their patrons. They adroitly extracted not only assistance, but in the case of Pakistan, implicit security assurances as well. Meanwhile, for a prestige-conscious Indian elite, the Cold War offered exceptional opportunities to make its mark on the international scene. India's successful combination of democracy and socialism, its willingness to thumb its nose at American interests, and its robust leadership of the Non-Aligned Movement gave it several decades of international influence far out of proportion to its modest economic and military means. All three countries in this study have been slow in adjusting their policies to post-Cold War realities. Although both Indian and Pakistani elites are aware that change is called for, they appear to be moving in fits and starts rather than taking the forceful, rapid steps that the seriousness of their problems would suggest. America, despite its de facto disengagement from the region, can still play a positive role by nudging these old antagonists toward greater cooperation. Ironically, America's very disinterest in the region may make it easier to put aside its visceral fear of American modeling in its sphere of influence. Thus, the challenge for the United States will be to find sufficient political will to stay engaged in South Asia, precisely to help the region avoid the kind of doomsday scenario that would surely attract its attention.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 28, 1997
- Accession Number
- ADA442670
Entities
People
- J. Weber
- L. Wohlers
- R. Stotts
Organizations
- National War College