Pakistan\’s geographic location, strategic capability, closeness to China, relations with regional countries and the US, and, most importantly, animosity towards India, have made the US Indo-Pacific strategy and its arrangements of interest to it.
The Cowed Indian Aspirations
India has long prioritized its naval development and maritime strategy to materialize its ambitions of becoming the net security provider in the Indian Ocean Region. But with the Russian invasion of Ukraine, India\’s Maritime Strategy has become a real challenge for itself. The real test is to strike a balance between its alignment with Russia and a rather newly-found geostrategic convergence with the West and the US.
The QUAD II
What seemed like an extraordinary alliance under the name of QUAD began to fade away by 2007 until its revival in 2017. Since then maritime affairs and security have become a prime focus and all QUAD members are aligning their maritime disputes through this platform.
South Asia: In the Midst of a European Conflict
The implications of the ongoing crisis are not only limited to Europe. The Russian intervention will produce indispensable ramifications for South Asia as well. As gas and oil prices will face a surge amid the crisis in Europe, this will likely cause a severe recession for South Asian economies and will hamper the manufacturing capacities.
India’s Dilemma in the Indo-Pacific Theater
India with its leverage lost in Afghanistan is reportedly considering reopening its embassy in Kabul. This comes at a time when India is seeking its role in Afghanistan; either through ‘Asia-Pacific’ group – 18th Russia-India-China (RIC) foreign ministers’ meeting, or through United States-led initiatives, such as Quad.
![Sherman from United States met with Pakistan's Foreign Minister Qureshi in Islamabad [Image by Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs via AP].](https://southasiatimes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/AP21281255820748.webp)
Is the United States Pivoting to Eurasia?
US Deputy Secretary of State visit to South Asia, particularly regarding Afghanistan, marks a shift towards civilian diplomatic engagement.
