POLARIZED INDIA: IMPACT ON STRATEGIC ALLIANCES AND REGIONAL SECURITY
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Authors
Ashraf, Muhammad Naeem
Subjects
United States
China
India
Indo-Pacific region
Nehruvian
pluralism
polarization
new great power competition
Liberal Democratic Order
strategic autonomy
United States Commission on International Religious Freedom
USCIRF
China
India
Indo-Pacific region
Nehruvian
pluralism
polarization
new great power competition
Liberal Democratic Order
strategic autonomy
United States Commission on International Religious Freedom
USCIRF
Advisors
Khan, Feroz H.
Halladay, Carolyn C.
Date of Issue
2022-03
Date
Publisher
Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
The U.S. sees China as a potential challenger to the U.S.-led liberal democratic world due to its coercive economic, diplomatic, and military policies and hegemonic designs in Indo-Pacific and Indian Ocean regions. To maintain rule-based order, particularly in Asia Pacific, a democratic India emerged as a key U.S. ally to check the rise of an aggressive hegemon (China) and to safeguard interests of the liberal democratic order due to its democratic stature, burgeoning economy, military potential, aspirations for a great power, and geostrategic location in the Indo-Pacific. A democratic and pluralist India appeared well on course to meet the China challenge as the U.S. and India strategic relationship strengthened over time. However, in 2014, the Indian government transitioned from a secular party to a right-wing Hindu extremist party under Narendra Modi, whose policies are leading India toward polarization and democratic backsliding, which has started to reflect on India's economy and relations with neighbors. Prolonged continuation of such policies, and an India embroiled in domestic issues and conflicts with smaller neighbors will impact the regional peace and stability, and the role of India as net security provider and counterbalance to China in the new great power competition. The paper explores the potential impact of Hindutva-driven policies on the region and challenges posed to the rule-based liberal democratic order.
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National Security Affairs (NSA)
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