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Abstract
This article investigates the role of extra-regional influences in shaping South Asia’s security challenges. It examines the strategic engagement of the United States, China, Russia, and the European Union in the region, analyzing their economic, military, and political presence. The study emphasizes the Indo-Pacific context, great power competition, and its implications for smaller South Asian states. It argues that while extra-regional involvement brings investment and security cooperation, it also fuels rivalry, dependency, and domestic political polarization. The article concludes that South Asian countries must balance external partnerships with regional integration to ensure long-term stability.
Full Text
The body traces the historical context of extra-regional involvement in South Asia since the Cold War. Section One reviews US policies toward Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India. Section Two analyses China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and its strategic consequences. Section Three discusses Russia’s evolving role and arms sales. Section Four explores EU engagement in governance, trade, and development aid. Section Five considers policy choices for South Asian countries: balancing external powers, safeguarding sovereignty, and enhancing intra-regional cooperation. The conclusion stresses the need for a balanced and autonomous regional security strategy.