ISLAMABAD: Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI) launched a research report titled “Akhand Bharat – A Threat to Regional Peace” authored by IPRI researchers under the leadership of IPRI Director, Dr. Raashid Wali Janjua. The report critically examines Indian expansionist ambitions.
During the launch event, IPRI President, Dr. Raza Muhammad, chaired the proceedings, with guest speakers including distinguished international lawyer Ahmer Bilal Soofi and Associate Professor from Quaid-e-Azam University, Dr. Mujeeb Afzal.
The speakers highlighted India’s pursuit of extra-territorial ambitions, equating it with a broader xenophobic tendency in both political and cultural spheres. They referenced a historic map displayed in the Indian Parliament depicting a Greater India, encompassing the Subcontinent, Central Asia, and Afghanistan, echoing ancient political visions of rulers like Chandra Gupt Maurya and Ashoka the Great. This map, endorsed by India’s ruling BJP, poses a significant threat to regional peace and integrity, reflecting India’s expansionist agenda.
The speakers condemned India’s deviation from state-centrism principles outlined in the UN Charter, deeming it a violation of international law. They characterized India’s approach as extravagant, rooted in the divisive ideology of Hindutva.
India’s unilateral actions, such as the abrogation of Article 370 and 35A in 2019, were cited as attempts to disrupt regional stability and encroach upon foreign territories. India’s hegemonic manoeuvres in neighbouring countries like Nepal and Bhutan, and its interference in the sovereignty of Maldives and Sri Lanka, were also highlighted.
The speakers criticized India’s political manoeuvres, such as the NRC and CAA legislations, as steps towards realizing the concept of Akhand Bharat, promoting exclusionary Hindutva ideologies like Ghar Wapsi to reshape Indian society.
They noted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s systematic dismantling of secular principles since 2014, fostering communal divisions by portraying minorities as ‘intruders.’ India’s democratic index rating declined from 27 in 2014 to 53 in 2020 and its “not free” status according to Freedom Index was cited as evidence of this regression.
Akhand Bharat, the speakers argued, represents a calculated attempt to revive an ancient geopolitical order, viewing Muslims not as equal citizens but as subjugated subjects. They said that India’s vision under Akhand Bharat transcends that of a nation-state, instead envisioning a regional hegemon.
