The world does not need an arms race in such a volatile and populated region like South Asia. But with Narendra Modi in the lead, India has been systematically taking the region and in particular, Pakistan, towards the precipice of perpetual instability with its Ballistic missile program and military ambitions. The merger of arms and extremist ideology in the most populous democracy in the world ought to be raising eyebrows among her neighbors as well as the international powers who have been ignoring the problem for a long time.

India’s missile modernization is not just about defense; it’s a political instrument underpinned by ideological militarism.

The recent missile tests of India, which have included short-range tactical missiles as well as Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) such as Agni-V, are a demonstration of definite strategic ambitions on its part to increase its military control way beyond its regional presence. Having a range of over 5,000 kilometers, the Agni-V can deliver nuclear bombs to distant continents, which is why the notion that India is a purely defensive country is also put to challenge. Though India presents such developments as being necessary deterrents, one could not ignore the climate within which context they are developed.

Besides the Agni-V, India has designed a collection of long range missile systems which are a representation of its ambitions not confined to the regional deterrence. The Agni-VI which is under development will have a range of 8,000 to 12,000 kilometers and this could put the whole world under the firing range of India. Also, K-series of submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) including the K-4 and K-5 provide the second-strike capabilities able to travel up to 5,000 kilometers and complement Indian nuclear triad.

Such move, though under the pretext of strategic needs, turns more and more troubling in regard to the internal political situation in India, where loud nationalism and extremism are the very agenda-setters in the political rhetoric and military strategy. In combination with the ideologically motivated militarism, high levels of missile technology have the potential of destabilizing the South Asia subcontinent, as well as the overall international system of security.

This is not a form of militarization without a context. Hindutva is a national ideal and has influenced the way Modi has modelled India, that how Hindus are supreme over other communities and neighbouring nations, especially Pakistan. A lethal blend of ultra-nationalism and advanced weaponization adds up to a winning formula of disruption in the region.  In contrast to the secular basis on which India was built, the vision of the New India propagated by Modi is more inclined to militarized nationalism in which the projection of power ceases to be a purely strategic need but a political instrument.

Agni-VI could place the entire world within India’s missile range, signaling ambitions far beyond regional deterrence.

To Pakistan, the rising arsenal of Indian missiles and the rising hostility of its military strategy pose a head-on risk. The usage of the so-called the Cold Start Doctrine which involves the quick, small-scale attack within the borders of Pakistan as well as the use of tactical nuclear-capable missiles such as Prahaar and Pralay have already obliged Pakistan to revise its own strategic positions. Pakistan has time and again voiced its concerns over the arms imbalance in the region but its warning is usually unheard.

The fact is that the modernization of the missile program of India is not only a defense issue but a very aggressive demonstration of power. The intensity of cross-border violence, unilateralism in Kashmir after the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35-A in 2019, and stern words by Indian political and military leaders all are indicative of a greater chaos.

As a reaction to this, Pakistan has ensured credible minimum deterrence by coming up with its own nuclear program. Nevertheless, when one half of the border is gaining more and more military activity at a fast pace, stimulated by the radical ideology, the possibility of error rises. The spark could be anything and the impact would be disastrous resulting in the two billion people of the South Asia experiencing the onset of a nuclear war.

The policy of India has changed under Modi. It  is no longer non-alignment but strategic aggressiveness. Hindutva as advocated by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) a patriarch of the present BJP has virtually become a function of official policy. The exclusion and dominance based world view alters the defense profile of the country in India as far as peacekeeping force changes to a regional hegemon.

The merger of extremist ideology with military might poses an existential threat to peace in South Asia.

Based on the tendency of the government influence, the Indian media is a key source of celebrating military activities and cursing Pakistan. Films, television and even the curriculum in schools are being used as a weapons to create a national culture off glorifying war and demeaning diplomacy.

The growth in the Indian military advancements has been supported by the enhanced military relations with the world powers including the United States, France and Russia. Transactions of arms running into billions of dollars still stream into India without much concern to the manner of use of the arms and ideology of the regime wielding the arms. The QUAD alliance which entails the United States, Japan, Australia and India strengthens the aggressive stance of New Delhi in the region.

However, this special treatment is not free. The uncontrolled development of India as a military power with radical shades is capable of undermining the stability not only in South Asia, but also the security of the world. The world cannot afford ignoring these red flags. An arrangement similar to the one to observe the missile development of North Korea or the nuclear aspirations of Iran has to be applied to India.

International watchdogs and the United Nations should be able to support the transparency of the missiles and nuclear programs in India. The arms control institutions and confidence building measures in South Asia should reborn at once. The key to strategic stability in the region lies in mutual moderation, dialogue and denunciation of the ideology of militarism.

Moreover, global dominators should realize the fact that peace in the region can never be achieved through staging on one party. Even-handed approach, which accords equal diplomatic status to both India and Pakistan, can open up the platform guiding the long-run peace. The fact that the behavior of India under Modi is being ignored puts the security of Pakistan, and the world at risk.

The world’s silence on Modi’s militarized nationalism is enabling a volatile arms race in one of the most populous regions on Earth.

India under Modi is not that the world used to regard as the country with nonviolent and secular policies. It is a nation that today is developing missiles under the shade of extremism, and the dangerous ideology is controlling and dominating policy decisions. The global community should do something to prevent it. In case political hatred remains the fuel to military violence, South Asia will turn out to be the epicentre of the next great human catastrophe. It is time to sound alarms something before the launching of the first missile.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author. They do not represent the views, beliefs, or policies of the Stratheia.