HAS PAKISTAN CHECKMATED INDIA IN ITS FOREIGN POLICYWITHNEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES, ESPECIALLY THE SUPER-POWERS, RUSSIA & CHINA? – A CRITICAL REVIEW

Abstract

Russia recently announced that Russia and Taliban had “Shared Interests” in fighting ISIS(Daesh). He believesthat the IS [Daesh] Afghan wing poses a great threat to the region as they are really global jihadists. This standis problematic for India, Afghanistan and even the US. It will, however, be an advantage for Pakistan. Russia'sposition would be difficult for the Ghani government to accept, which has been fighting the Taliban for over adecade. Indian security officials believe Taliban is the greater malign force in Afghanistan, not ISIS. TheUNSC panel observed that around half of ISIS members in Afghanistan were foreign, with a large portionof
fighters hailing from the Afghanistan-Pakistan border and returning Afghan fighters. After it officially deniedreports that it had shown any interest in China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Moscowhas not just
declared strong support for the China-funded project but also announced its intention to link its own EurasianEconomic Union project with CPEC. India was further disturbed by Russia's decision to hold its first ever joint
military exercise with Pakistan days after Uri terror strike which left 19 Indian soldiers dead. As the west hasshunned Russia, slapped sanctions on it, Russia has moved towards China. In South China Sea, Russia hasunquestioningly accepted the Chinese point of view, even conducting naval drills with China after the Tribunal
judgment. India has no choice but to keep a steady hand on this relationship, diversify it to the extent possible.
If US is indeed a stronger friend of India today, New Delhi should lobby more forcefully with Washingtonthat
it needs to find a way to repair its Moscow relationship, to maintain the balance of power.