India's regional diplomatic posture.
The recent cross-border raid by Indian security forces along the India-Myanmar border may signal an assertive neighbourhood security policy by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government. While Modi's Pakistan policy is marred by suspicion and hostility, he has successfully wooed other difficult neighbours, namely Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal. These trends seem to mark an Indian attempt to increase influence in South Asia, while simultaneously isolating Pakistan.
India will need to placate Myanmar with softer rhetoric and closer counterterrorism cooperation in border areas.
'Offensive defence' risks undermining India's ties with the United States and China on both the diplomatic and economic fronts.
Frosty India-Pakistan ties will fuel the arms race on both sides, with defence spending often poaching development funds.
