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  • Essay / Analysis of Kautilya's Mandala - 1501

    In Kautilya's own words, “Strength is power and happiness is the end. » However, power is not constant at all times and thus, the Mandala model assumes that two kings whose territories are geographically contiguous are natural enemies of each other. Although this model confers a high degree of theoretical sophistication and, according to the realist school of thought, precedes Machiavelli's philosophy, it presents an ideal representation of the contemporary international system. Indeed, this assumes that a nation-state is unstable, even self-destructive in the long term, because the system is in a constant state of conflict and there is no equilibrium, i.e. a state of cooperation. The main objective of this article is to highlight Kautilya's Madala model in the existing geopolitical scenario and its application, as the model emphasizes on relative power in the international system. In the first example, Pakistan is Vijigishu and its major constituent states. the various elements of the Pakistan Mandala, namely enemy, ally, intermediate king and neutral king, are discussed below, with justification and evidence. In the border context of Pakistan, other states with contiguous borders are Iran, Afghanistan and China, although they do not share relatively the same stature as India. India and Pakistan emerged from their independence from British colonial rule in 1947, with a similar cultural and historical origin and contiguous territories. India is identified as the natural enemy of Pakistan, as prescribed by Kautilya. The Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 was the direct military confrontation. Between India and Pakistan during the Bangladesh Liberation War, India's dominance in military, political and economic fields has been unquestionable ever since. Amid a document that portrays Iran as a military threat to vital interests in the Gulf, the Gulf leader, however, focuses on ideological differences and perceived political threats. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, in the current geopolitical scenario using Kautiliya's Mandala model, prove that two kings, whose territories are geographically contiguous, are natural enemies of each other. Furthermore, "the pathological need for power", as proposed by the realist school of thought, is supported by the examples. Struggle evokes instability and conflict within the system, interstate alliances reveal inherent tensions and opportunities that accompany choices exercised by states such as "dual politics", "war", "peace", etc. international system and highlights the applicability of Kautiliya's Mandala model.