Geopolitical khichdi: Bharat in the middle of a regional power stir

In 2025, a potent geopolitical Khichdi is simmering across South Asia. From the revival of the RIC bloc to Pakistan's pivot back to the US, the return of Bagram, unrest in POJK, and the aftershocks of Operation Sindoor — South Asia is witnessing a geopolitical khichdi like never before. At the centre of this simmering mix stands Bharat, recalibrating its alliances with bold strategic intent

Khichdi as a metaphor. Across the Subcontinent- the word khichdi is universally understood — both as a comfort‐food hybrid and a metaphor for messy mixtures. That is precisely what the region looks like in terms of geopolitics.

Today, a geopolitical khichdi is cooking across Bharat’s neighbourhood: from Myanmar to Afghanistan, Nepal to the Indian Ocean. What makes this khichdi new and intense is how rapidly strands of diplomacy, defence and economic interests are recombining — and Bharat is at its centre.

Operation Sindoor: A game-changer

Operation Sindoor was more than a military success- it was a watershed in its military posture. It jolted the world's perception of Bharat's strike capability. However, the diplomatic fallout, especially with the US, following Operation Sindoor, was perhaps a more significant moment. It freed New Delhi from the burdens of diplomatic baggage—especially the webs of strategic, economic, and military blocs designed by external players.

Thus, New Delhi shed its old baggage tied to groupings and obligations, marking the bigger diplomatic shift. The irony is that credit goes to Donald Trump. As US President, his disruptive policies dismantled old international structures.

Four key developments reshaping the Subcontinent

Revival of Primakov Triangle - The RIC:

The Primakov Triangle is the conceptual grouping of Russia, India, and China (RIC) as a strategic counterbalance to the influence of the United States. The concept was envisioned in the 1990s by Yevgeny Primakov, who was then the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs and later Prime Minister.

According to recent diplomatic developments, the RIC bloc, once dismissed or overlooked, appears to be back on the table. The reason is that all three ancient civilisations feel threatened by Western pressure.

As the old wisdom attributed to Chanakya goes, “The enemy of my enemy is my friend.” The RIC members view the revival in this sense as a counter to the US and its deep state. Many commentators argue that Trump's confrontational approach toward New Delhi and its multilateral institutions has prompted India to deepen its engagement with the RIC.

This tilt likely gave New Delhi leverage to extract specific concessions from China. The success of Indian Tech firm Zoho in gaining market access to the Chinese market, even as US and EU firms were being kept out, shows a subtle opening between New Delhi and Beijing — non-military, but significant.

2. Pakistan: Back in Washington’s Arms

Col. Ajay K. Raina, an author and geopolitical analyst, often describes Pakistan as a Heera Mandi—a brothel—loyal to the highest bidder. Following Operation Sindoor, Islamabad appears to have turned its back on China and leaned toward the US.

This should raise alarms in Beijing. It's billions in investments — from the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor to Gwadar Port — that are now looking exposed. Reports indicate that Pakistan is offering the US a new port at Pasni, located just 200 km from Gwadar.

If that deal happens, two superpowers will sit within striking distance of each other. Pakistan risks becoming another Cold War battleground, like Afghanistan in the 1980s. And history shows such a role comes at a devastating cost.

3. Bagram: The US Returns

The Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan is back in the news. Recent reports suggest that the US is eyeing Bagram Air Base, reactivating it as a strategic fulcrum in South Asia. Washington may reactivate it, giving the US (and Israel by extension) a vantage point to monitor China, Iran, and the region. For Israel, Bagram solves a recent problem.

During its short conflict with Iran, long-haul air strikes were difficult. With Bagram, Iran would be just 60–90 minutes away.

Amidst all these, for the first time, the Taliban's Finance Minister will be in New Delhi- the timing is telling. In Diplomacy, coincidences are rare- Bharat is clearly preparing its own position as the US edges back into Afghanistan.

4. POJK: Rare Earths Deals a Risky Provocation

Unrest in Pakistan-Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (POJK) has been smouldering for months, but it flared dramatically in recent weeks, with reports of hundreds of casualties and destruction. In this contested terrain, three sovereignties now exert influence: India, Pakistan, and China.

Meanwhile, Islamabad has dangled rare earth minerals from POJK (and Balochistan/KP) in front of the US. If Washington steps in, Beijing's decades of investment could be washed away down the river Jhelum.

Can this provocation open a new possibility? Will Beijing one day prefer Indian control of POJK, seeing Bharat as more reliable than Pakistan? New Delhi has already demonstrated its willingness to resist Western pressure when it comes to strategic autonomy. Thus, a quiet alignment of interests between New Delhi and Beijing cannot be ruled out. Beijing’s stance at the UN, resisting US manoeuvres against India’s Security Council ambitions, may be an early hint.

Should Sindoor have gone further?

A lingering question remains: should Operation Sindoor have gone deeper? Could more of Pakistan’s military assets have been destroyed? Should India have also acted during the unrest in Bangladesh?

In hindsight, strategy is often second-guessed. What is clear is that Bharat is now surrounded by a ring of fire — Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Afghanistan, and Pakistan all present challenges. It is perhaps the most complex situation since the Mahabharata.

The pot is boiling

The Subcontinent's geopolitical khichadi is being cooked with Indian spices. The ingredients — alliances, rivalries, trade, defence, and Diplomacy — are messy but powerful.

Bharat is not just an ingredient in this dish. It is the cook stirring the pot. Whether the khichadi becomes nourishing or poisonous depends on how New Delhi manages the fire. One thing is certain: the pot is boiling, and the world is watching.

(The author is Founder of My Startup TV)