When balance of power meets globalization

Dominant international relations perspectives on balance of power and state behaviour are heavily focused on the European and United States–Soviet historical experience of yesteryear. China has pursued a ‘peaceful rise’ strategy, later christened as ‘peaceful development strategy’, during much of the post-Cold War era, that was, until 2012 or so, aimed at accelerating its economic might through intensified trade of manufacturing goods, while deliberately keeping a low profile in the security arena. In Nepal, China has increased its economic and infrastructure support, especially in the hydro-power and road construction sectors. The larger global context needs to be brought in here for understanding the manoeuvrability of smaller states in South Asia. The evolving regional security order in South Asia, as in other parts of the Asia-Pacific, holds potential for intense balance of power politics emerging as relations between the US, China and India evolve as the 21st century advances.