CYBERWARFARE IN SOUTH ASIA: THE IMPACT OF INDO-CHINESE RIVALRY ON PAKISTAN'S SECURITY

Abstract

The escalating cyberwarfare between China and India plays a significant role in South Asian geopolitics, reflecting a Realist view of international relations that focuses on power struggles, national security, and competition in a leaderless world. This study explores how both nations’ cyber strategies are part of a larger race for regional dominance, driven by their quest for technological superiority. It also looks at the impact of this rivalry on Pakistan, a country already facing its own challenges while being drawn into this conflict. Examples like cyber spying and attacks on critical infrastructure show the serious risks involved in this ongoing struggle. As technologies like blockchain, quantum cryptography, and artificial intelligence continue to evolve, Pakistan finds itself at a crossroads, facing both exciting opportunities and serious challenges. This study highlights the importance of building stronger cyber defenses by fostering strategic partnerships, investing in local technological innovation, and playing an active role in shaping global cyber policies. It provides practical insights to help scholars, policymakers, and strategists better understand how cyberwarfare is influencing traditional power struggles. The focus is on how this affects Pakistan’s critical infrastructure, national sovereignty, and its position in the region, offering a Realist perspective on these pressing issues.

Keywords: Cyberwarfare, Technological Superiority, National Security, Strategic Partnerships, Regional Dominance