Key Points:
- India’s exclusion from NATO’s leader summit has raised questions about its regional situation and its significance in the Indo-Pacific context.
- Both India and China are rapidly developing infrastructure along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), indicating potential future conflicts.
- India has chosen to engage with countries individually and through its participation in the QUAD, rather than directly involving itself in NATO.
- The upcoming NATO summit will address critical issues such as Ukraine, Russia, Indo-Pacific dynamics, cyber threats, space activities, and disinformation.
Dr Qamar Cheema in his latest Podcast said that the exclusion of India from NATO’s leader summit has raised questions about its regional situation and its significance in the Indo-Pacific context. While countries like Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, and Australia (known as the Indo-Pacific partners) have been invited to the summit, India’s absence has not gone unnoticed.
Dr J. Shankar, India’s Foreign Minister, has previously stated that the NATO template does not align with India’s interests. Additionally, both India and China are rapidly developing infrastructure along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), which could potentially lead to future conflicts. China has established check posts, roads, and camps equipped with solar panels, significantly enhancing its presence in the region. India has also invested considerable resources in this regard.
Regarding the NATO summit, it appears that India has deliberately chosen to not involve itself directly, instead engaging with these countries individually and through its participation in the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD). The emergence of the Indo-Pacific platform emphasizes that no state should feel threatened. The upcoming summit in Lithuania will address various critical issues such as Ukraine, Russia, Indo-Pacific dynamics, cyber threats, space activities, and disinformation.
Dr Qamar stressed that in this partnership of four countries (excluding India), discussions will focus on maritime cooperation, cyber threats, outer space challenges, disruptive technologies, and India’s role in this context. India, with its strategic partnerships with these nations, maintains its autonomy and enjoys friendly relations with all of them.
Dr Qamar said one crucial question arises: Why has India not joined NATO, considering its existential threats? This question requires serious contemplation. Could it be that India is confident in handling its own security concerns, or is it a matter of not being a significant power during the time of NATO’s establishment? Comparing India with China, there is a significant disparity in terms of global manufacturing, global goods exports, total GDP, and influence in international forums.
However, India’s future prospects look promising. According to the World Bank, India’s share of global manufacturing and global goods exports is considerably lower than China’s, but it is expected to grow and make a substantial impact in the next decade. The United States, recognizing the importance of the region, seeks to engage with India strategically.
Understanding the hindrances faced by India and the factors that impede its progress is crucial. The future dynamics between China and India, and the direction they choose to take, will significantly shape the geopolitical landscape. These concerns will likely be addressed during the upcoming NATO meeting, which holds the potential to define the future trajectory of regional dynamics.
Dr Qamar was of the view that the exclusion of India from the NATO leader summit has sparked discussions about India’s role in the Indo-Pacific region. While India maintains its strategic partnerships with the invited countries, questions about India’s absence and its future trajectory remain pertinent. The upcoming NATO meeting will undoubtedly play a crucial role in shaping the future and generating insights into the region’s geopolitical dynamics.