A Comparative Study of the Strategic Culture of India and Pakistan and their Impacts on SAARC in South Asia

Abstract

Culture, history and geography play a fundamental role in building perceptual framework of a state towards its enemies. These are the combined factors regarded as the constitutive elements of strategic culture. Diverse strategies are adopted by strategic thinkers to interpret, analyze and respond to strategic situations. It involves using force, building alliance or compromising to the demands of dominant powers. The preference for certain decisions and options in the face of crisis remains almost uniform. These peculiar choices remain a topic of significant exploration among regional and global security analysts. The strategic equation of India and Pakistan is complex and filled with the elements of mutual hostility, distrust along with traditional and non-traditional security threats. These threats develop a distinctive perceptual framework for each country. This unique approach mostly marked by skepticism and ill-will has been primarily remained major obstacle in making the SAARC successful. Indians see Pakistan as only south Asian country with the potential and desire to contest their regional hegemony, while Pakistanis see India as an eternal enemy and risk for its survival. The aim of this article is to explore the origin of strategic culture of both countries and how it has thwarted regional integration. The constituent elements of Strategic culture are analyzed in the qualitative research methodology with special emphasis on content analysis of documents for understanding and interpreting the narratives and discourses surrounding strategic culture. This research concludes that through strategic initiatives, institutional changes and policy changes, the dream of regional integration in South Asia can be materialized.