Role of Religion in Contemporary Realpolitik IR: A Critique of Sino-Pakistan and Maldives Relationships

Sara Orakzai

doi:10.54418/ca-97.261

Authors

Sara Orakzai M. Phil Scholar at the Department of Political Science University of Peshawar. Email: sorakzai786@gmail.com

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54418/ca-97.261

Keywords:

Religion, international relations, realism, neo-classical realism, geonomics, geo-cultural, doctrines, populism.

Abstract

Religion is today a prominent player in international affairs. Christian Zionists are passionate defenders of Israel in the Arab-Israeli conflict, and they have a powerful impact on US Congress and policy decisions. Arguing that religion solely determines international relations oversimplifies the complex reality, although reductionism can help understand certain aspects. This perspective could miss important context and reduce complex issues to simpler terms. This shows the need for a compromise. This methodology applies the reductionist and holistic approach to describe the operation of systems and the creation of new characteristics.[1] I am interested in the role of faith in the geopolitics of Pakistan, China and the Maldives. International Reductionism has, over its centuries of development, produced a wealth of ways of making sense of the world. They help people take complex systems and break them down into smaller and smaller pieces. This kind of thinking has greatly influenced various scientific areas. But the lack of significant contextual aspects and oversimplification, underlines the necessity for a balance between both perspectives. This approach integrates reductionist and holistic methods to provide a deeper understanding of how systems operate and how new features emerge.[2] I want to stress the importance of identity in the geopolitics of Pakistan, China and Maldives. There are several frameworks in International Relations to understand . Classical realism Neoclassical realism Populism driven by social media and its impact .

[1] G. Alexander, “Reductionism: Understanding Its Concepts and Implications,” Clinical Neuropsychology 7 (2024): 261.

[2] Ibid.

References

Alexander, G. “Reductionism: Understanding Its Concepts and Implications.” Clinical Neuropsychology 7, 2024: 261.

Ananthavinayagan, T. V., et al. “International Law and Maldives: Navigating Geopolitics, Trade and Sovereignty.” Trade and Sovereignty, February 20, 2024. DOI: https://doi.org/10.33774/coe-2024-gfg4w-v2

Ari, T., and F. Gokpinar. Theories of International Relations II. Eskisehir: Anadolu University Press, 2019.

Behravesh, M. “Realism and Neorealism: An Investigative Overview.” e-International Relations, December 19, 2010. http://www.e-ir.info/2010/12/19/realism-and-neorealism-an-investigative-overview/.

Burchill, S. The National Interest in International Relations Theory. Vol. 38. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2005. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230005778

Clayton, C., M. Maggiori, and J. Schreger. “Putting Economics Back into Geoeconomics.” NBER Working Paper no. w33681, 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3386/w33681

Cui, J., and T. Li. “Religion, Power, and National Identity: The Dual Role of Islam in the History and Modernization of the Maldives.” Religions 16, no. 2, 2025: 201. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16020201

Donnelly, J. Theories of International Relations. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2005.

Elefteriu, G. “Why Alliances Matter.” Geostrategy 2023. https://www.geostrategy.org.uk/research/why-alliances-matter.

Ferrara, P. “Religion, Conflict and Peacebuilding: A Diplomatic Perspective.” In Religion and Peacebuilding in Contemporary Global Crises, edited by Fabio Petito and Michael Daniel Driessen. Milan: Italian Institute for International Political Studies, 2023.

Flint, C. Introduction to Geopolitics. London: Routledge, 2021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003138549

Gaware, R. S. “India–Maldives Relations in the Last 25 Years: A Geostrategic Analysis.” Journal of East-West Thought 15, no. 1 (2025): 751–61.

Hussain, I., I. Hussain, and I. H. Qambari. “History of Pakistan–China Relations: The Complex Interdependence Theory.” The Chinese Historical Review 27, no. 2 (2020): 146–64. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/1547402X.2020.1831176

Jaskólska, A. “Impact of Religion on International Relations in the Indo-Pacific.” In Handbook of Indo-Pacific Studies, 86–105. New York: Routledge India, 2023. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003336143-8

Khara, D. N. K. “Determinants of Foreign Policy: A Global Perspective.” 2018. https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3696960.

McIntyre, L. Post-Truth. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 2018. DOI: https://doi.org/10.7551/mitpress/11483.001.0001

Modongal, S. “The Resurgence of Religion in International Relations.” Cogent Social Sciences 9, no. 1, 2023. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/23311886.2023.2241265

Morin, J. F., and J. Paquin. “What Is Foreign Policy Analysis?” In Foreign Policy Analysis: A Toolbox, 1–15. Cham: Springer, 2018. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-61003-0_1

Razack, Sajla Abdul. “Maldives beyond the Myopic Lens: Why Major Powers Seek Leverage.” EIAS, July 31, 2024. https://eias.org/policy-briefs/maldives-beyond-the-myopic-lens-why-major-powers-seek-leverage/.

Saidi, Benachour. “Mapping Geo-Culture in Intercultural/Civilizational Communication and Relations.” PhD diss., Mohamed I University, 2024.

Sandal, N. A., and P. James. “Religion and International Relations Theory.” European Journal of International Relations 17, no. 1, 2011: 3–25. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1354066110364304

Silvestri, S., and J. Mayall. The Role of Religion in Conflict and Peacebuilding. London: British Academy, 2015.

Smith, P. J. “The Tilting Triangle: Geopolitics of the China–India–Pakistan Relationship.” Comparative Strategy 32, no. 4. 2013: 313–30. https://doi.org/10.1080/01495933.2013.821850. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/01495933.2013.821850

Stanković, J. “National and Foreign Policy Implications of Discourses Connected to Nationalism and Religion.” PhD diss., Central European University, 2024.

Sultana, G. “Domestic Politics and Foreign Policy of the Maldives.” National Security 7, no. 2, 2024: 98–116.

Thakur, H. K. “Contesting China in the Maldives.” The Round Table 112, no. 4, 2023: 421–37. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00358533.2023.2244286

Thapa, S. B. “Populism and Foreign Policy: Transforming Diplomatic Relations in South Asia.” SSRN, 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.5246677

“What Is Foreign Policy? Definition, Scope, Importance & More.” The Blog, February 23, 2024. https://jgu.edu.in/blog/2024/02/23/what-is-foreign-policy/.

“Why Bangladesh’s Mohammad Yunus Wants SAARC Back but India Isn’t Keen.” Firstpost, September 24, 2025. https://www.firstpost.com/explainers/why-bangladeshs-mohammad-yunus-wants-saarc-back-but-india-isnt-keen-13936555.html.

Yihua, X. “Religion in Contemporary International Relations.” China International Studies 22, 2010: 69.