Balancing acts through deceptive diplomacy

The art and practice of managing relations between countries through treaties, alliances and talks in order to advance shared interests and settle disputes amicably on a global scale is known as international diplomacy. It encompasses the strategies and tactics employed by states to navigate complex geopolitical landscapes and advance their foreign policy objectives.

Since the day of their independence, Pakistan and India have pursued different foreign policy agendas. Pakistan quickly became an ally of the United States, while India chose to remain non-aligned and lead the Non-Aligned Movement. This difference became even more apparent when Russia and India forged a strategic alliance that would last for a long time. The repercussions of these diplomatic manoeuvres were felt acutely, especially at critical junctures like the Soviet-Afghan War in the 1980s, when India sided decisively with Russia. But when the geopolitical landscape changed and the US started to surround China, India adjusted its strategic calculus and became closer to the US. The historic 2002 nuclear agreement known as the 123 Agreements for Peaceful Cooperation marked the conclusion of this strategic realignment. However, India has been accused of using different standards because of its efforts to keep friendly ties with both the United States and Russia. Recent circumstances, in which India linked with providing arms to Ukraine with rising tensions with Russia, serve as an example of........

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