How are the external powers influencing bilateral relations in South Asia? Take any one example to illustrate your point.

• We are living in the era of globalization hence it is not possible for a region to exist without influence of another. With economic interference there is also a tendency for countries to comment on other aspects. Gone are the days where a nation could exist with non-alignment as India did briefly in the post-cold war era.

• United States of America has remained a key player in the regional politics.

• Let us take the example of the bilateral relations between India and Pakistan. China is building an economic corridor through Pakistan to aid the movement of goods to the Europe, Middle East and Africa. This will boost trade activity in the entire region and especially to Pakistan as it provides employment in their region.

• However, the economic corridor happens to pass through Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) and hence India has asked them to stop the construction.

• During the regional issues of India that is when the Article 370 was passed which led to India claiming its territory. Pakistan raised the issue in UN and it was backed by China.

• Hence during the bilateral issue between India and Pakistan over PoK China went on to give its support to the territorial sovereignty of Pakistan.

• Similarly, even US enjoy great bilateral relations with both India and Pakistan and has often offered to be a moderator in the same issue.