The Indian Subcontinent: A Tapestry of Conflict, Ambition, and Potential
The Indian subcontinent, a region of immense diversity and complexity, is a geopolitical cauldron where history, culture, religion, and strategic interests intertwine in a complex dance of power and identity. The region’s history is marked by a series of conflicts and antagonisms, largely driven by strategic positioning rather than religious differences. This piece aims to delve into the intricacies of these conflicts, the ambitions of the nations involved, and the potential for future development.
The region of Kashmir, a Muslim-majority province with a Hindu king, has been a focal point of conflict between India and Pakistan. Both nations lay claim to it, India because the Hindu king ceded the province to it, and Pakistan due to its Muslim majority. However, the real reason for the conflict lies in the strategic positioning of the region. The Indus River, the lifeline of Pakistan, originates in Kashmir, as do three of its most important tributaries. By controlling Kashmir, India can project power down four major rivers into Pakistan, a situation that Pakistan finds precarious. This conflict is not a religious one, but a strategic positioning over the other, with Kashmir caught in the middle.
The disparity of identity between East and West Pakistan developed into a tinderbox throughout the 1950s and 1960s, eventually leading to the worst atrocity of the Indian-Pakistani conflict. The West Pakistani attempt to force their culture, language, and dominance over East Pakistan had the opposite effect, leading to a movement of educated young people demanding autonomy or possibly even independence. Pakistan responded with the establishment of Islamist militias, conducting a purge of society that resulted in the Bangladeshi genocide of 1971. The Indian army eventually intervened on the side of the Bangladeshi independence movement, helping Bangladesh achieve independence. However, the consequences of what happened in 1971 still show their effects to this day.
Terrorism is a game that no country should play, yet it is a game that has been played extensively in the Indian subcontinent. The largest terrorist organization in the world is not Islamist, nationalist, or right-wing, but a communist terror group in India called the Naxalites. With between 10,000 to 30,000 members, it’s the largest in the world, most active on the eastern coastline of India. Pakistan, despite suffering from the consequences of supporting such groups, continues to support them for the sole purpose of destabilizing India.
The Afghan conflict, often viewed through a Euro-American lens, is far older than the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. Afghanistan’s relationship with Pakistan has been cold since the beginning, with Afghanistan frequently attempting to incite secessionist rebellions in Pakistan and even conducting military incursions. This led Pakistan to destabilize Afghanistan by training and sending Islamist insurgents, years before the Soviets invaded Afghanistan. However, the consequences of this decision have been severe, with the Taliban turning their attention to Pakistan and causing significant instability.
India, with its ambitions of becoming a superpower, is seeking ways to feed the increasingly high energy demand of its growing population. It has been looking to Central Asia, which sits on some of the largest natural gas reserves in the world. However, a gas pipeline connecting the two regions would have to go through Pakistan and Afghanistan, which Pakistan has consistently made impossible. On the other side of the subcontinent, India failed to agree on a pipeline deal with Burma due to high transit fees demanded by Bangladesh, showing the deep-seated conflicts in the region.
India’s control over the Indian Ocean is not only vital to its security interests but essential to its ambitions of becoming a superpower. However, it faces competition from China, which is building ports and navy bases throughout the region. India, in response, is increasing investment in Sri Lanka and building its first foreign military bases.
In terms of foreign policy, India is in a favorable position. It is seen as one of China’s biggest regional rivals, making it a desirable partner for countries seeking to compete with China. It has been building closer ties with countries like Japan, Australia, Israel, France, and the United States. Pakistan, on the other hand, is in a difficult position. Its support for Islamist militias and destabilization of Afghanistan has led to its isolation on the global stage.
In conclusion, the Indian subcontinent is a region where all its inhabitants would greatly benefit if they could put their conflicts aside. However, the politics of antagonizing and conflict are set to continue. The nations of the subcontinent need to look inward and address their internal demands and struggles, rather than seeking external integration and outside solutions. Only then can they truly unlock the potential of this diverse and complex region.
