GEOPOLITICAL OPTION

Bikash Choudhury

Apropos “India’s Geopolitical Option”; the article has raised very pertinent questions and issues related to Indian foreign policy & strategic interest. In a parliamentary democracy like ours there should be no confusion; parliament is the final arbiter of National interest. In the current global scenario the Indian Geopolitical options could be as follows: (1) India should target to achieve a closer Indian Confederation (India-Pakistan-Bangladesh) through economic & cultural ties leading to a military block in 10-20 years time span and that should be extended to SAARC by 2050. Indian confederation actually represent a complementary economic unit which was destroyed by political division after partition; each unit suffered heavily in last sixty years; the realization is slowly dawning on people in either side. (2) India should build closer ties with America & China simultaneously while reviving the Old Russian association. America has a strategic interest in the region with India while China could be roped in by opening up the Indian infrastructure sector for Chinese Investment as well as Industry. Russians could stand as countervailing power for long term security. To exercise such a geopolitical option India need to have political unity at the top and a central Govt. which is in grip of the economy & governance.