In November 2024, Dr. Islomkhon Gafarov, Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Afghanistan and South Asian Studies, received his Ph.D. in political science, having successfully defended his dissertation on Modern Foreign Policy of the USA in South Asia (in the case of India and Pakistan).

 

His research presents a comprehensive analysis of the transformation of the US foreign policy strategy in the South Asian region. Special attention was paid to international relations through the prism of constructivism. This approach occupies a key place in the theoretical part of the work, as constructivism considers international processes not only through the traditional factors of power and interests, but also through ideological and cultural aspects. Using the example of US foreign policy in South Asia, the author shows how this theory is applicable to analysing long-term relations with India and Pakistan. The author argues that US foreign policy in the region reflects not only pragmatic strategic goals such as containing communism or fighting terrorism, but also constructivist aspects such as democratic values and perceptions of allies. This is particularly evident in relations with India, which is seen by the US as an important democratic partner that shares similar ideological principles.

 

The study demonstrates how, over the past seven decades, South Asia has emerged as one of the key regions shaping global geopolitical dynamics. The author identifies seven historical periods in the evolution of American foreign policy in the region, beginning in 1947 and ending with the current phase following the withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. It also analyses the factors that have influenced the transformation of US regional policy, including India’s rise as a global player, the development of the North-South international transport corridor, India and Pakistan’s entry into the SCO, and Pakistan’s strategic pivot towards cooperation with China.

 

The key conclusion of the study is the identification of the cyclical nature of American foreign policy in the region, characterised by alternating periods of active engagement and relative distancing. At the same time, there is a significant transformation of US priorities: if during the Cold War Pakistan was the main regional partner, in modern conditions the emphasis has shifted to the development of strategic partnership with India.

 

The dissertation abstract summarising the main findings of the study is presented for your attention.

 

Read and download the abstract

 

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