ON A GOOD WICKET

THE GROWING COLLUSION BETWEEN CHINA AND PAKISTAN POSES THE BIGGEST FOREIGN POLICY CHALLENGE FOR INDIA. MOTN RESPONDENTS BACK THE GOVERNMENT’S FIRM HAND ON CHINAPAKISTAN ISSUES

- SANDEEP UNNITHAN

The year 2020 accelerated some tectonic realignments in Indian foreign policy. Two of New Delhi’s biggest foreign policy challenges swapped places—China, with its unprovoked border aggression in eastern Ladakh in May 2020, appeared as a threat for the first time in recent years; while Pakistan, with its economic worries and political turmoil, somewhat diminished as a challenge. However, close political, economic, and military ties between Beijing and Islamabad have made the prospect of a joint front a bigger strategic headache.

The China challenge and the prospect of two live borders with collusive neighbors have led to India reaching out more enthusiastically for the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue with the US, Japan, and Australia. The Quad’s collective heft, New Delhi hopes, will geopolitically address the military imbalance it faces on its vast mountainous frontier with China. It will also buy India time to accelerate its own military infrastructure along the border.