INDIA’S GROWING STRATEGIC CAPABILITIES A THREAT TO SOUTH ASIA

Abstract

It is always a challenge to analyze the transforming geostrategic contours of the world. The region of South Asia received an immediate attention of the international world when India (followed by Pakistan) conducted nuclear tests and showed their dominance and strategic capabilities to each other.
After that, both countries evolved into arms race. The world and specifically the region of South Asia has experienced a massive boom in the military capabilities of India. The emerging major global power in wxzorld order due to its large military, fast growing economy and political affiliations with other major powers of the world. In some last twodecades or so, India invested heavily in acquiring latest technologies from Russia, USA, France and Israel. India’s technological acquisitions and emerging capabilities, and her eagerness to get new technologies of hypersonic weapons, anti-satellite weapons, and advancement in the domains of space, maritime, nuclear energy exacerbate the asymmetric strategic dynamics. Furthermore, these rapidly growing strategic capabilities of India would largely help in pursuing her hegemonic ambitions in the region. India is looking to combat the rising strength and involvement of China in the Indian Ocean and her growing maritime capabilities. In point, India sees her hegemonic status is in a peril because of close strategic ties between China and Pakistan. India's aggressive ambitions towards Pakistan, and enhancing her strategic capabilities surely results to a precarious outcome in the region because of India's influence, presence and hegemonic status in South Asia. Moreover, a major challenge to South Asia's security and stability arouse because of the Modi led Indian government affiliations with the Hindutva's supporting agencies.