India’s ‘Wait and Watch’ Diplomacy: Redefining Regional Engagement in South Asia
Ravi Shankar Raj and Simant Shankar Bharti
India’s ‘Wait and Watch’ approach has reinforced its foreign policy strategy of ‘Neighbourhood First’ and hence allowed it to adjust to the changing political landscapes in South Asia. This issue brief looks at how India’s measured response to political changes in Afghanistan under the Taliban and in the Maldives under President Mohamed Muizzu has boosted India’s regional influence by exercising strategic patience and calibrated diplomacy. India has managed to reposition itself as an indispensable partner to both nations by striking the right balance of economic and humanitarian engagement with security concerns. This approach broadens its geopolitical contours by counting external influences, advancing regional integration, and entrenching India’s leadership within South Asia. India’s diplomacy is pragmatic and provides a guide to engage with unstable regimes without compromising national security. This approach, in the end, not only strengthens bilateral relations but also provides an example of stabilizing the region in light of changing geopolitical challenges.
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