In a major development, India has extended its security base and offensive capability and outreach beyond its borders.

This week, India opened a new naval base on one of its Indian Ocean islands, which is close to the Maldives, after having re-gained its working relationship with this island nation.

Also, new evidence is reported to be emerging of a secret Indian military base being built in the Indian Ocean. Satellite images show the construction of two naval jetties and a runway on a remote Mauritian island.

These strategic defence outreaches by India appear to be aimed at countering China’s attempts to “muscle its way into the Indian Ocean”. On the other hand, it is a reality that India perceives Pakistan as its unpredictable arch enemy and an ally of China. India’s footprint beyond its borders is equally threatening to Pakistan. India’s recent overtures to responsive Afghanistan and Central Asian countries add to the security challenges that it has imposed on Pakistan.

Pakistan’s geographical location, positioned at the crossroads of South Asia, Central Asia, and the Middle East, presents to it some unique opportunities for building security,........

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