“Peace has a mind of its own and doesn't follow victory around."

                                                              Norman Corwin

Conflicts more often than not do not result in the peace that was envisaged. The reasons could be many and need to be understood and lessons learnt, lest we keep reinventing history, much to the chagrin of the citizens of the world who continue to suffer. It might be easy to start a war, but the end result or conflict termination criteria are extremely difficult to articulate, let alone ensure. With the Russia - Ukraine conflict or ‘Special Military Operations,’ as Russia would like to call it, entering its third month there seems to be no light at the end of the tunnel. What appeared to be literally a ‘walk in the park’ has interminably stretched into a long drawn conflict with repercussions being felt across the world that just about seemed to be recovering from the Covid  Pandemic. Closer home, the Eastern Ladakh Crisis that led to casualties on both sides two years ago has resulted in a stalemate with the rival armies deployed face to face at a significant cost with no end in sight despite fifteen rounds of border talks at the highest level. Twenty years after the invasion of Afghanistan following the ‘Global War On Terror,’ (GWOT) the International Security Assistance Force, led by the United States has pulled out while Afghanistan continues to languish and it is questionable whether the objectives that were laid down by President George Bush have been achieved.  The present conflict between Russia and Ukraine may well become a turning point in history that could lead to a realignment between nation states and probably cause schisms which may be difficult to fill as time goes by. Under the circumstances, it becomes important to not only understand the reasons that propelled the conflict, but also what India needs to do in order to ensure that a similar situation does not unfold in our neighbourhood.  

Foreign Policy 

Geography could either be treated as a curse or a blessing, depending upon your viewpoint. A nation unfortunately cannot choose its neighbours, as it can do with friends, which in present times is not limited by distances due to an increasingly interconnected world. ‘National Interest’ no doubt must assume primacy in any nation’s foreign policy to secure its interests with economic, trade, diplomatic and military relations with its partners. The nature of governments or ideology should not matter as long as national interest is served. India occupies an enviable position geographically, a continental power astride the Indian Ocean with the mighty Himalayan ranges offering a natural barrier to its north. A concerted effort towards Development Diplomacy with each of its neighbours, visa free travel and open borders that encourage tourism, education in premier institutes of the country and medical facilities apart from free trade agreements would go a long way in building mutual trust amongst the people in the neighbourhood. Regional cooperation with extensive people to people contact that makes borders irrelevant had been the vision of the erstwhile Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh when speaking about the neighbouring countries he talked about  “making borders irrelevant without redrawing them.” India’s foreign policy when it comes to engagement in the neighbourhood has more or less been bipartisan irrespective of the government in power, barring a few exceptions. Even though this statement was made almost two decades ago, in 2004, the results have been mixed. There exists a need for India to engage more proactively with a whole of government approach with each of its neighbours. This would ensure that the nation not only emerges as a net security provider in the region that can be relied upon to assist when the need arises, but would also ensure peace and tranquillity along its own borders. 

Military Relations and Defence Cooperation

Engagement between the Armed Forces of the neighbouring countries ensure that issues of interoperability, common understanding, people to people contact that nurtures relationships and bonds get segued into an impermeable sheen which would be difficult to break. When natural disasters or calamities strike, India has always been the first responder to provide help and succour in the region and beyond. At the same time, the military capability to protect its borders from external aggression must reorient itself to the changing dynamics of war that permeate into the grey zone. There is an emergent need to ensure synergy in the military domain with a concerted and coordinated approach that stems from a joint albeit singular vision to protect national interest at all costs. The military capability must not only be synergised but should also be capable of waging war effectively through all domains including cyber, information and space apart from the traditional, land, maritime and air. The national will, resolve and capability must be demonstrably visible and exercised without refrain, should the need arise. US President Theodore Roosevelt’s famous quote, “Speak softly and carry a big stick - you will go far” couldn’t be more appropriate under the given circumstances. Increased defence cooperation in the neighbourhood through joint exercises, airshows, training, bilateral exchange visits and staff talks would foster relationships that would not only preclude a conflict but also ensure peace and stability in the region. 

Conclusion

India, with its growing economy, an unprecedented demographic dividend and the unrivalled capability in the services and information technology sector stands at the crossroads of history  from where it can emerge as a regional and global leader which can make a difference. A more proactive foreign policy with a whole of government approach, with each of its neighbours could lead to an enduring strategic relationship that could well become the envy of others who struggle for peace and stability. Defence cooperation in the military domain through joint exercises and visits, and capacity and capability building through training and defence exports in the neighbourhood, would go a long way in building enduring partnerships that would stand the test of time and turbulence. Synergy and coordination between the armed forces and the other drivers of statecraft, is important to not only show resolve but also act decisively and effectively to protect national interest. The present geopolitical environment provides India with a golden opportunity to showcase its largesse and potential to become a regional leader with altruism as the basis of its policy to ensure peace and stability in South Asia.  As John Lennon, the songwriter, musician and peace activist along with being the rhythm guitarist of ‘Beatles’ famously sang in 2010, “Give Peace A Chance,” all we are saying is that India should do all it can to give peace a chance.