Recalibrating Geopolitics in South Asia: Great Power Rivalries and the Shifting Regional Order

South Asia has historically been a hotspot for geopolitical rivalry, shaped by its intricate history and strategic interests. The emergence of China as a global powerhouse has added complexity to the region's dynamics, challenging India's long-standing influence. China's rising economic and political prominence in South Asia has altered regional power equations, prompting nations to recalibrate their alliances and strategic approaches. This evolving interaction among nations raises critical questions about the future balance of power in the region and the potential role of external actors.

In recent years, countries neighboring India, such as Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Nepal, have faced major political shifts, ranging from governmental collapses to prolonged crises and leadership transitions. These developments have sparked intense debate about the influence of outside powers in shaping internal political landscapes. Analysts contend that these political upheavals signal a broader geopolitical contest, not isolated incidents. Additionally, the potential involvement of the United States in counteracting China's growing influence and maintaining stability underscores an intricate geopolitical web involving traditional and emerging powers.

This Research Topic aims to explore whether South Asia is experiencing a profound geopolitical transformation or simply a transient disruption. Insights into the shifting dynamics could illuminate broader trends and inform future policy decisions in this critical region. Understanding these changes is vital for anticipating the geopolitical landscape, ensuring regional stability, and developing informed policy responses aimed at balancing national interests.

To gather further insights into the multifaceted nature of South Asia's evolving geopolitics, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

• the changing Sino-Indian balance and its implications for regional alliances, military postures, and the influence on neighboring countries

• recent political upheavals in Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and other nations, focusing on the influence of external forces on domestic politics

• economic strategies, such as China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), India's regional trade policies, and U.S. investments, in shaping geopolitical outcomes

• maritime security, intelligence sharing, and defense collaboration within entities like the Quad (India, U.S., Japan, and Australia), particularly in the Indian Ocean region

• how major powers use media narratives, educational exchanges, and cultural diplomacy to guide public opinion and forge enduring influence

• how regional and global powers leverage or mitigate natural disasters, economic downturns, and territorial disputes to realign strategic ambitions

We encourage submissions across various article types, including original research, reviews, and perspectives.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Registered Report
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Geopolitical Rivalry, Sino-Indian Relations, External Influence, Regional Alliances, Political Upheaval, Strategic Transformation

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.