India's Strategic Interests in South Asia

India's foreign policy has assimilated this aspect that only in a peaceful environment there can be growth when the defence bill is reduced, only then the social and infrastructural bill will increase. For this to happen India has to make a south Asia oriented foreign policy. South Asia comprises of nations coming around India, and India has been an accepted leader among them as well as on the path to become a global super power. India has to be more sensitive to the needs and duties of its regional realm that is south Asia.

There are strategic sea-routes, mineral reserves and natural resources that the growing appetite of India needs. India has trade and economic interest in this region. India needs road links through Bangladesh for their 'look east policy' Bhutan and Nepal for Hydro electricity and minerals' Sri Lanka for developing fishing lines and above all Pakistan for terrorism control, in that case it is also true that all these nations of south Asia should 'ideally' rely on India as their regional security guarantee.

Countering growing dragon power of china makes it unavoidable for India to go for strategic consolidation in the south Asia. To maintain internal security and stability, India requires not only good relation with them but also secure their internal stability. To counter international terrorism also makes it compulsory for India to maintain strategic cooperation with all the nations of this region.

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