Introduction
India’s role in South Asia is characterized by complex relationships, historical disputes, and power dynamics that often lead to strained ties with neighboring countries. The country’s growing influence, combined with its economic, military, and political ambitions, has placed it at odds with many of its South Asian neighbors. This analysis will examine why India is perceived as one of the most disliked nations in South Asia, backed by data, public opinion surveys, examples of India’s involvement with terrorist organizations, the role of the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), border disputes, and the media’s role in shaping perceptions.
1. Historical Disputes and Border Conflicts
a. Pakistan: The Kashmir Conflict
The Kashmir conflict between India and Pakistan is arguably the most significant source of hostility between the two nations. Since the Partition of British India in 1947, both countries have claimed the entirety of the Jammu and Kashmir region, resulting in three major wars and countless skirmishes.
- Public Opinion: According to a Gallup Pakistan poll conducted in 2021, 85% of Pakistanis viewed India as the greatest threat to their national security, largely due to the Kashmir issue.
b. Bangladesh: The Legacy of 1971
India’s involvement in the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971 initially won it widespread support among Bangladeshis. However, issues such as the Teesta water dispute, trade imbalances, and migration have fueled anti-India sentiment in recent years.
- Public Opinion: A survey by the Daily Star in 2022 found that 45% of Bangladeshis felt that India interferes too much in their domestic affairs, while 30% believed India is a good ally.
c. Nepal: The Blockade of 2015
India was accused of imposing an unofficial blockade on Nepal during its constitutional crisis in 2015, leading to widespread shortages of fuel, medicine, and other essential goods. The blockade significantly worsened India-Nepal relations.
- Public Opinion: A survey by the Kathmandu Post in 2016 revealed that 68% of Nepalese people blamed India for the blockade, with 60% expressing distrust towards India’s government.
d. Sri Lanka: The Tamil Conflict
India’s initial support for Tamil separatist groups in Sri Lanka, particularly the LTTE, during the civil war further complicated its relations with the Sri Lankan government and the Sinhalese majority. India’s later intervention via the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) between 1987 and 1990 further damaged its image in Sri Lanka.
2. India’s Involvement in Terrorist Organizations and RAW’s Role
India’s external intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), has been linked to various covert operations in neighboring countries, often contributing to its negative image.
a. Pakistan: RAW’s Alleged Involvement in Balochistan
Pakistan has consistently accused India of supporting separatist movements in Balochistan, claiming that RAW funds and arms the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) to destabilize the region.
- Example: The capture of Kulbhushan Jadhav, a former Indian naval officer, in Balochistan in 2016, who Pakistan claims was working for RAW, was used as evidence of India’s involvement in terrorism in Pakistan. This significantly worsened relations between the two nations.
b. Bangladesh: Alleged Interference in Islamist Politics
Some Islamist groups in Bangladesh have accused India of supporting secular factions to weaken the influence of Islamist parties like Jamaat-e-Islami. These allegations have contributed to anti-India sentiment, particularly among religious conservatives.
c. Nepal: Maoist Insurgency
India has been accused of providing tacit support to Nepal’s Maoist insurgents during the country’s civil war, a claim that has been used to criticize India’s interference in Nepal’s internal politics.
3. Political Influence and Regional Dominance
India’s status as the largest and most powerful country in South Asia often leads to accusations of “big brother” behavior, where it is seen as attempting to dominate its smaller neighbors.
a. Bhutan: Economic and Political Control
India’s close relationship with Bhutan has been marked by its control over Bhutan’s foreign policy and defense matters. While Bhutan remains a steadfast ally, many Bhutanese feel India’s influence is excessive.
b. Maldives: Political Manipulation
India has supported various political regimes in the Maldives that align with its strategic interests. In recent years, India has been accused of interfering in Maldivian elections to ensure that pro-India candidates remain in power.
4. Border Issues and Security Concerns
India shares borders with several South Asian countries, leading to frequent disputes and security concerns.
a. China: The Doklam Standoff
The 2017 Doklam standoff between India and China, which took place on the Bhutanese border, highlighted the geopolitical rivalry between the two nations. India’s military buildup in the region was seen as an aggressive move by China and led to heightened tensions.
b. Nepal: Border Dispute
In recent years, India and Nepal have engaged in a bitter dispute over the Kalapani region. Nepal has accused India of encroaching on its territory, while India claims that the region is part of its own sovereign territory.
5. Indian Media’s Role in Fueling Hate
Indian media, particularly television channels, play a significant role in shaping public perceptions of India’s neighbors. Sensationalist coverage of Pakistan, Bangladesh, and China, often filled with nationalist rhetoric, contributes to the growing animosity between India and its neighbors.
a. Pakistan: Media War
Indian media frequently portrays Pakistan as a state sponsor of terrorism, while Pakistani media retaliates by highlighting India’s role in suppressing Muslim minorities in Kashmir. This media war further escalates tensions between the two countries.
b. Bangladesh: Sensationalism
Indian media often covers issues related to illegal migration from Bangladesh into India’s northeastern states, painting a negative picture of Bangladeshis. This has led to increased resentment in Bangladesh, where such coverage is seen as racist and xenophobic.
6. India’s Economic Hegemony
India’s economic dominance in South Asia has also contributed to its strained relationships with its neighbors. Many countries in the region view India’s economic policies as exploitative and unfair.
a. Bangladesh: Trade Imbalances
India enjoys a large trade surplus with Bangladesh, exporting significantly more goods than it imports. This has led to accusations that India benefits disproportionately from trade deals, contributing to economic resentment in Bangladesh.
b. Nepal: Economic Dependence
Nepal’s economy is highly dependent on India for trade and imports. During the 2015 blockade, this dependence was exploited by India, leading to widespread economic hardship in Nepal.
7. India’s Support for Militant Groups
India’s involvement in supporting or funding militant groups in neighboring countries is often used as a political tool to destabilize governments and maintain its influence.
a. Tamil Tigers in Sri Lanka
India’s initial support for the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) during the Sri Lankan Civil War is often cited as an example of India meddling in its neighbors’ internal affairs.
b. Baloch Separatists in Pakistan
Pakistan has repeatedly accused India of funding and arming Baloch separatists, an allegation that India denies but is widely believed in Pakistan.
Conclusion: India’s Complex Role in South Asia
India’s relationships with its South Asian neighbors are shaped by a combination of historical grievances, territorial disputes, and geopolitical ambitions. While India’s economic and military power gives it a dominant position in the region, this dominance also fuels resentment among its neighbors. Public opinion data consistently shows that India is viewed with suspicion and hostility in many South Asian countries, particularly Pakistan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. As India continues to pursue its regional ambitions, these tensions are unlikely to dissipate, and India’s role as a regional hegemon will continue to be a source of both admiration and animosity.
Public opinion data consistently shows that India is viewed with suspicion and animosity in many South Asian countries, particularly Pakistan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. Accusations of meddling in domestic politics, supporting militant groups, and imposing unfair
