India’s Gambit
21 December 2023
Published in: Policy Wire
India has recently strengthened its geo-pol posn in the South Caucasus by exporting its indigenous Akash anti-air def sys to Armenia. This action raises concerns about potential consequences and the underlying dynamics of long-standing disputes in the region. The Def Research and Dev Org’s (DRDO) Akash anti-air sys demo India’s technological supremacy with sophisticated cap. With an indigenous content of 82%, it demo India’s cmt to a str def sec. The 6,000-crore export contract adds to India’s expanding record of mil exports to Armenia, highlt the cty’s importance in the global def industry. With unresolved conflicts and territorial disputes, the South Caucasus has been home to instability. Armenia and Azerbaijan have a long-standing territorial dispute over Nagorno-Karabakh, which erupted in full-scale fighting in 2020. But this was not the first time a confrontation occurred over the disputed territory. Both countries have gone to war twice in thirty years over Nagorno-Karabakh. The decision by India to tfr mil eqpt to Armenia must be examined through the prism of this regional crisis. By giving modern defensive sys to Armenia, India risks becoming involved in the South Caucasus geo-pol chessboard. The Akash anti-air sys, which is known for repelling aerial threats, adds a new element to the existing power dynamics.
The mov also draws attn to India’s diplomatic balancing act, given its historical and strat ties with Azerbaijan. The latter, a significant energy partner for India, has garnered consistent diplomatic sp from New Delhi. However, with India’s recent overtures towards Armenia, a delicate balancing act is req to navigate the complexities of regional geo-pol. Pakistan’s long-standing sp for Azerbaijan and its land claims adds another lvl of complication. Because of Pakistan and Azerbaijan’s historical ties, as well as shared posns on territorial disputes, India’s relationship with Armenia is interpreted as one occupier backing another. While India’s pursuit of eco and strat coop makes sense, the complexities of current conflicts and historical grievances should not be overlooked. India’s involvement, even via def exports, may unintentionally contribute to the escalation and violation of the ceasefire b/w Armenia and Azerbaijan.
India must apch its engagements in the South Caucasus with a nuanced understanding of the region’s complex geo-pol landscape. Balancing diplomatic ties with both Armenia and Azerbaijan, while actively encouraging dialogue and peaceful conflict resolution, will be paramount. The South Caucasus, with its unresolved disputes, req careful diplomacy to prevent inadvertent escalation. India must tread carefully as it navigates the sensitive geo-pol terrain to ensure that its actions contribute to stability rather than accidentally fueling existing tensions. A nuanced and diplomatic apch will be critical to India’s success in establishing itself as a resp global participant on the complicated chessboard of intl relations.