South Asia is a relatively new concept that emerged during the Cold War. Historically, India was the main point of reference, although its boundaries varied throughout history. For example, when Alexander the Great invaded areas now in present-day Afghanistan and Pakistan in 326 BCE, it was considered an invasion of India. Christianity was introduced to India by St. Thomas around 52 C.E., but his activities were limited to the southern tip of the region, in Kerala, which was over 3,000 kilometers away from Taxila. Arabs traded in India’s western ports like Surat, but it was known as trading with India. Christopher Columbus and Vasco da Gama searched for sea routes to India, and Indology flourished during the colonial era. As a result, terms like Indian Ocean, West Indies, East Indies, and Indo-China were used.
After World War II, there was a debate in the United States on how to define this region. India-focused scholars argued that any framing of South Asia should remain Indo-centric, while the U.S. strategic community believed that Pakistan should be given greater importance to contain Soviet influence. During this period, India and Pakistan had a complete strategic divide, leading to conflicts and wars. Pakistan served as a conduit for the U.S.’s anti-Soviet strategy, and relations between Pakistan and China grew closer as the Sino-Soviet rift emerged. India remained non-aligned, which drew ridicule from both the U.S. and Pakistan. The divide between India and Pakistan widened further in the 1970s when India moved closer to the Soviet Union, and Pakistan’s friendship with China strengthened after the creation of Bangladesh.
The end of the Cold War had little impact on India-Pakistan relations. There were conflicts like the Kargil war in 1999, which raised concerns of a potential nuclear war since both countries had tested nuclear weapons. Tensions escalated further after terror attacks attributed to Pakistan, leading to military build-ups at the border. Cross-border firings, shelling, and accusations of interference in each other’s politics became routine. The China factor is also crucial in understanding South Asia’s interstate dynamics. China shares borders with several South Asian countries and has become a significant player in the region due to its economic power. India, viewing its neighbors as part of its sphere of influence, has mutual suspicion with China. However, India’s own reliance on China, including trade partnerships, undermines its warnings about China’s motives. The gap between the Chinese and Indian economies has widened, with China’s GDP being significantly larger than India’s. China has also excelled in the IT sector, while India’s claims as an emerging global IT power have been overshadowed.
India-China relations have entered a difficult phase recently, affecting the South Asian subsystem. India’s image within the region has suffered, leading its neighbors to reassess their relationships with India and China. In response, India has sought closer ties with the U.S. to balance the situation. The success of India’s diplomacy depends on how the U.S. perceives the situation, but the Biden administration is facing pressure to address India’s deteriorating treatment of minorities. India’s neutrality during the Ukraine crisis has further strained U.S.-India tensions, while China sees the U.S. as its primary adversary in the global leadership struggle and considers India more of an impediment than a rival.