How do nations obtain power and wealth? Pak vs India
Power in the realm of international relations is defined as “the ability of an international actor to use its tangible and intangible resources and assets in such a way as to influence the outcomes of events in the international system in the direction of improving its own satisfaction with the system.” Living in a developing country like Pakistan, a county characterized by a crippling economy and sitting on a large pile of debt, I have grown up listening to conversations themed around “power” and “wealth.”
The two countries of Pakistan and India with the same origins, have assumed distinct roles on the international stage, something made obvious following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in early 2022. The power of the two neighbours can be gauged by the international reaction (and its consequences) to the diplomatic stance taken by India and Pakistan. Pakistan’s neutral stance on the Russian invasion of Ukraine resulted in the ousting of Prime Minister Imran Khan, which he refers to as a ‘US conspiracy’, as detailed by The Intercept. Interestingly enough, India did not face similar consequences to abstaining to vote in the UN for condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
How did the two nations with the same history and timeline have such different fates in international relations? The answer lies in the non-identical journey the two countries embarked on since their inception in 1947.
One of the obvious reasons for the ascent of power can be traced to political stability. India, the third largest economy in the world, in its 76 years has seen 14 Prime Ministers. Comparatively, Pakistan has witnessed the (incomplete) tenures of 23 Prime Ministers and 4 military coups. This erratic pattern of leadership changes can be likened to seismic tremors, eroding the stability required for sustainable progress. The ensuing uncertainty and inconsistency deter investment and economic development, analogous to the reluctance to invest in earthquake-prone regions.
Despite Pakistan’s current state, Pakistan was leading ahead in terms of economic growth. Between the years 1960 and 1980, Pakistan’s economy was growing 6% a year compared to 4% of India. This changed in the 1990s when the growth rate reversed and India maintained the 6% per year for the next 30 years.
While India diligently enacted reforms within the framework of a stable (albeit imperfect) democratic system, Pakistan found itself leaning heavily on foreign aid and the influx of funds during the ‘Afghan Miracle’ period, which constituted its primary economic activity. This inadvertently led Pakistan into a self-perpetuating cycle of reliance on external reservoirs, notably U.S. military aid and support from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). This assistance did not come without strings. The cost of depending on others is working for others, as proven by Pakistan’s long-standing US-orientated foreign policy.
In conclusion, the comparative analysis of India, and Pakistan highlights the intrinsic relationship between political stability and a nation’s growth, ultimately determining its power. As highlighted by Azhar Ahmed, wealth serves as a potent instrument of power, shaping international actions through the strategic use of incentives and disincentives. The ability to project influence on one’s terms is linked to a nation’s capacity to cultivate internal stability and sustainable growth. Hence, the establishment of robust internal systems forms the pathway for nations to acquire both power and wealth.
Originally written for Immerse Essay Competition. Won a 10% scholarship to Oxford Summer School.
