Recent events in Bangladesh clearly indicate a rejection of Indian dominance and interference in the country’s internal affairs, culminating in the end of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year rule by a youth movement that initially arose over the controversial quota system. Since 5 August 2024, Indian media, under the influence of the Indian establishment, has expressed frustration over the loss of Indian influence and assets in Bangladesh, spinning conspiracy theories that blame Pakistan, China, and the USA for Sheikh Hasina’s ouster.
However, the reality is quite different. Across South Asia, from Afghanistan to Sri Lanka, smaller states are increasingly adopting a policy of keeping “India Out” of their internal matters. Since the partition of India and the formation of modern India in 1947, India has pursued a foreign policy characterized by dominance, hegemony, and bullying, particularly towards smaller states like Pakistan, in an effort to control the region’s domestic politics.
PC Hotel Rawalpindi, Foundation University partner to enhance educational, professional developmentThe teachings of the ancient Indian strategist Chanakya (375 BC), who argued in his seminal work “Arthashastra” that “Your neighbor is your natural enemy and your neighbor’s neighbor is your friend,” still hold significant influence over Indian leaders, particularly in foreign policy. From Nehru to Modi, India’s efforts to impose dominance over South Asia have only intensified, leaving little room for peace, prosperity, and progress for the region’s two billion people.
Pakistan, on principle, has consistently resisted Indian dominance in South Asia. The seeds of rivalry between India........