This political instability should be particularly troubling for India which is witnessing rising turmoil all around its borders. India’s long-term ambitions to emerge as a major power on the international stage will no doubt be assessed in terms of its strategic capacity to deal with the myriad crises in its own backyard. A policy of “splendid isolation” is not an option for India. Its desire to emerge as a major global player will remain just that, a desire, unless it engages with its immediate neighbourhood more meaningfully and plays an important role in restoring trust in democratic institutions in the region. India’s primary interest lies in stabilising the situation around its periphery. It needs to leverage its influence in its neighbouring states more effectively and prevent South Asia from becoming another Middle East — a combustible mix of tyranny, stagnation and extremism.

The writer teaches at King’s College London