DOES PAKISTAN BELONG TO SOUTH ASIA?

In: Vestnik Instituta vostokovedenija RAN: Journal of the Institute of Oriental Studies RAS, Heft 4 (26), S. 222-236

Abstract

Analyzing the question of Pakistan belonging to the South Asian region in the past and present, the author touches upon the problem of relations between states and regions. According to the author's conclusion, Pakistan fits into the framework of South Asia, which in colonial times was most often called the Indian subcontinent. At the same time, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan occupies a marginal, limitrophe position in relation to the core of South Asia, the Republic of India. Pakistan stands in a similar position as a border state in relation to the larger and heterogeneous region of the Near and Middle East. The author also notes the growing role of the country as a transit zone connecting China with the states of Arabia and the Persian Gulf and opening ways to the World Ocean for the Republics of Central Asia and Afghanistan, and through them for Russia. The historical trend revealed in the article is the evolution of Pakistan from a purely South Asian country to a limitary country, located on the frontier of a number of key geopolitical areas.