Examine the geopolitical challenges India faces in South Asia despite its global rise. How can India navigate these challenges to strengthen its regional leadership?

India has risen to become 5th largest economy in the world and as per reports it will overtake Japan to become 3rd largest by 2030.

India's global rise can be seen in:- - Chair of the several UN agencies, - Economic ally stronger - with high GDP growth, - Engagement and initiatives on climate change (e.g. ISA, CDPI), - Member of multilaterals and other forums - I2U2, IPEF, Quad, BRICS, SCO

However, despite global rise, several geopolitical challenges are faced by India; - i) Unstable democracies in the neighbourhood - coup in Myanmar, Bangladesh, ii) Low economic trade and poor fiscal capacity of countries such as Sri Lanka, Pakistan.

iii) Infiltration and incursions from across the border, (e) Terrorist infiltration on Pakistan border, Incursion by Chinese PLA in Ladakh.

iv) Boundary dispute and clashes

v) Terrorism emanating from ungoverned spaces.

vi) Drug and arms trafficking - leading to internal security issues.

vii) Chinese influence on the neighbours - leading to declining relations

[Diagram showing India with Political issues: Taliban (Pakistan), Political issues (China), Infiltration smuggling (Nepal, Myanmar, Maldives), Economic crisis (Bangladesh), Fall of government (Maldives), Sri Lanka economic crisis] - includes labels for: TALBAN IN KFGHANISTAN, PAKISTAN, INFILTRATION SMUGGLING, ECONOMIC CRISIS, MALDIVES COUP & INSURGENCY, CHINA, MYANMAR COUP & INSURGENCY, BANGLADESH CALL OF GOVERNMENT, SRI LANKA ECONOMIC CRISIS

India can navigate these challenges in the following ways:- i) Improving trade with the neighbours - utilising forums such as SAARC, BIMSTEC, ii) Following the Gujral doctrine - no reciprocity in relations, neighbour to be given priority, iii) Engaging with the interim government, military establishment to foster relations, iv) Improving border infrastructure to counter smuggling and infiltration, v) Regional development to minimise issues of insurgency, vi) Aid to countries in crisis. (e) Vaccine matter, vii) Collossing water disputes. (e) Teesta with Bangladesh.

According to I. Taishankar, "A nation that aspires to lead cannot continue with unsettled borders, unintegrated regions and underdeveloped opportunities" and therefore navigating the issues are needing to achieve global rise.