India seeks to be a global power
Dr. Jassim Taqui
The above are the highlights of introductory remarks by Dr. Zafar Iqbal Cheema, President and Executive Director of the Strategic Vision Institute (SVI), which set the tone for a bi-monthly seminar titled, “India’s Strategic Objectives, Capabilities and the Future Architecture of the South Asian Security.”
In a subsequent presentation, titled,” India’s Strategic Doctrine and Objectives,” Dr. Cheema maintained that India continued to pursue the British legacy as a hegemon in South Asia. He recalled that Nehru stated following the partition of the Indian subcontinent that India was destined to become a great power at the global level. He narrated how India interfered into the internal affairs of all sovereign countries of South Asia.
To become a global power, India built its nuclear program and exploded its first nuclear device in 1974; stating that it was for “peaceful purposes.” India also stated that it missed the Industrial Revolution, but it would not miss the Nuclear Revolution.
India changed its Nuclear Doctrine as well. First, it said in 1999 that it would not be the first to use nuclear weapons. However, in 2003 India stated if any country attacked it, anywhere, with chemical or biological weapons, India would retaliate with nuclear weapons. It also stated that if Pakistan attacked it with tactical weapons, India would react using,” massive nuclear weapon.”
India is developing Agni-5 with a range of 5000 km and other ICBM with a range of 8000-12000 km, which has the capability to hit the United States with nuclear weapons.
Dr. Cheema pointed out that India is using the United States to become a global power militarily and a permanent member of UN Security Council with veto power to ensure that it is a global power. He warned, however, the United States that India would turn against Washington when its strategy of becoming a global power would be challenged or deterred by American national interests.
The Chief Guest Khalid Mahmoud, Chairman of ISSI warned in his speech of the fluid situation in the region especially when India is following the path of becoming a global power and regional hegemon.
Dr. Zafar Nawaz Jaspal, Associate Professor, Department of IR, QAU spoke on, “Great Power’s Alignment in the Region and Future Implications.”
He also maintained that India is pursuing the path of becoming a global power, competing with other global powers in the region including the United States, Russian Federation, and the People’s Republic of China making the situation blurred and in a state of flex.
He pointed out that Pakistan became an ally of the United State for the sake of its survival while India is making an alliance with the United States to become a global power since no power is threatening the survival of India.
Mr. Sayed Muhammad Ali, Senior Research Fellow, CISS, spoke on, “The Contemporary Regional Security Architecture: Prospects and Future Possibilities,” stating that the security of the region is linked with political, economic, military, strategic and cultural aspects. He attributed the Indo-US alliance to the fact that Washington wanted to retain its primacy in the region while India was seeking to use America to emerge as a global power.
Mr. Ross Masood Husain, Chairman of SVI acted as a moderator.
All speakers called for a resolution of Pakistan’s differences with India through dialogue.
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