TWO DECADES OF INDO-US STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP:IMPLICATIONS FOR SOUTH ASIAN STABILITY AND FUTURE STRATEGIC TRAJECTORIES

This paper looks at the Indo-US strategic partnership over the last twenty years, including its evolution and implications for the strategic stability of South Asia, with a focus on Pakistan’s security environment. Developments, including the Indo-US nuclear deal of 2005 and the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) waiver, have led India down a path whereby it has strengthened not only its military might but also its diplomatic clout, with grave implications for the strategic stability of South Asia. For Pakistan, this partnership has introduced newer strategic challenges including the risks associated with regional arms race and escalation during a crisis situation. Keeping the above in mind, the paper predicts the future strategic trajectory of the US-India relationship as well as its likely implications for the region as well as Pakistan. The paper also recommends policy measures for Pakistan with a focus on increasing its diplomatic clout, both regionally and internationally, as well as engaging in partnerships with other countries as a means to counter-balance the US-India alliance. Through an assessment of past trajectories and looking at future trends, this papers aims to provide a comprehensive framework for the policymakers to navigate this increasingly complex regional environment.