Geopolitics in South Asia and Foreign Policy of Pakistan; an Analysis of Challenges and Opportunities in “Stress and Strain” Framework

Abstract

The geopolitical environment of South Asia has significantly changed in last two decades. This change essentially poses various challenges and brings opportunities for Pakistan in the region. The prime focus of this paper is to give an insight into challenges faced by Pakistan in a historical narration and to critically evaluate the implications of emerging geopolitical environment for Pakistan‟s foreign policy. Therefore, this study, by adopting realist perspective, develops “stress and strain” framework to analyses the impacts of regional geopolitics on foreign policy of Pakistan. This historical analysis reveals that the interest of great powers in the region changes with passage of time and thus changes their alliances with regional states. This shifting of alliances modifies the way of interaction among regional states. The study concludes with suggestions that the articulation of national interest and foreign policy of Pakistan needs to be reviewed continuously in order to overcome the emerging challenges and to find the best possible way of engagement at regional and international level.