With the United States as the dominant power in the western hemisphere and China in the east, it is hard to argue against the fact that India is an emerging power on the global scene. The first section of the essay, examines India’s economic growth, globalization, military and nuclear power, relations with foreign powers and regional stability as factors that would elevate India to regional hegemon status.
The latter part of the essay, explores lack of leadership and abandonment of regional responsibilities as obstacles to India achieving regional dominance. The essay concludes by arguing in favour of India as a potential regional hegemon in South Asia.
Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
2. MAIN ARGUMENT
3. CONCLUSION
Objectives and Topics
This essay examines India's trajectory toward becoming a regional hegemon in South Asia by analyzing its economic growth, military capabilities, and diplomatic relations through a realist theoretical lens, while also addressing the obstacles posed by its current regional leadership style.
- Economic growth and globalization as foundations for regional power
- Military modernization and the role of nuclear deterrence
- Realist perspectives on India's strategic foreign policy
- Evaluation of India's leadership role and regional responsibilities
- Challenges in balancing bilateral ties with regional stability
Excerpt from the Book
MAIN ARGUMENT
India’s dominant behaviour towards other South Asian states, requires an analysis of its policy framework within a regional context which can be best illustrated when viewed through realist lens. Mearsheimer argues that in an anarchic international setting lacking a central authority, powerful states seek power maximization with hegemony in mind as a long term endeavour. Powerful states strive to achieve regional hegemony in their region, while preventing other powerful states within their own territory from doing the same. Mearsheimer’s theoretical assertion not only explains contemporary global power rivalry between powerful nations such as the US and China for example, but also India’s rise as an emerging power in South Asia. Compelling and persuasive arguments are many that favourably support India’s aspirations as the dominant power in the subcontinent.
For India to be taken seriously as a potential regional hegemon in South Asia, it is essential to examine several factors that strengthen this prospect. One of these factors is, India’s much-vaunted economic growth over a sustained period of time. Strong economic performance not only regionally but at the global level, would justify India’s self-proclamation as a regional hegemon in South Asia. India is one of the fastest growing economies in the world and its progress continues at an upward trajectory. Its steady economic rise, is the result of the global financial crisis in the 1990’s which prompted economic reforms encouraging both market development and globalisation of the Indian economy. To gauge how fast India’s economy has come in terms of progress, it is necessary to illustrate this in a comparative international context.
Summary of Chapters
INTRODUCTION: Provides an overview of India's status as an emerging power and outlines the essay's intent to evaluate factors supporting and hindering its regional hegemony.
MAIN ARGUMENT: Analyzes India's economic and military development within a realist framework and discusses the complexities of its leadership role regarding neighboring states.
CONCLUSION: Synthesizes the findings, asserting that while India is a dominant power in South Asia, it must actively foster regional stability to attain true global leadership status.
Keywords
India, South Asia, Regional Hegemony, Realism, Economic Growth, Globalization, Military Power, Nuclear Deterrence, Foreign Policy, Strategic Autonomy, Regional Stability, Leadership, International Relations, Geopolitics, South Asian States
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this essay?
The essay explores India's rise as an emerging power and assesses its potential to become a regional hegemon in South Asia based on economic, military, and diplomatic criteria.
What are the core thematic fields covered in the text?
The core themes include international relations theory, specifically offensive realism, India's economic trajectory, military and nuclear capability, and its complex foreign policy relationship with regional neighbors.
What is the central research question?
The research evaluates whether India possesses the necessary characteristics and behaviors to be recognized as a regional hegemon in South Asia.
Which scientific methodology is employed?
The work utilizes a qualitative analytical approach, applying the theoretical framework of realism, particularly Mearsheimer’s theory of power maximization, to interpret India’s foreign policy and regional behavior.
What is discussed in the main body of the text?
The main body details India's economic growth through globalization, its modernization of military and nuclear assets, the influence of its 'Look East Policy,' and its challenges in maintaining regional stability versus external interventions.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include regional hegemony, realist theory, Indian foreign policy, South Asian security, and economic globalization.
How does the author interpret India's nuclear testing in 1998?
The author suggests the nuclear tests were a demonstration of power intended to establish a foothold in South Asia and to act as a deterrent against regional rivals, primarily Pakistan.
What role does the 'Indira Doctrine' play in the author's argument?
The doctrine is cited as an example of India's historical foreign policy imperative to establish military dominance and prevent external interference within the subcontinent.
Why does the author argue that India currently lacks the full status of a regional leader?
The author contends that while India has the material capacity, it has historically adopted a 'reluctant' approach, often failing to support regional democratic stability or proactively addressing the economic needs of its neighbors.
What is the author's final conclusion regarding India's future?
The conclusion suggests that India is primed for a global role, but it must first shed its reluctant image and work in closer, more cooperative partnerships with its neighbors to ensure regional stability.
- Quote paper
- Francis Maiava (Author), 2014, How can India become a regionl hegemon? Obstacles and beneficient factors, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/316192
