The "Role of external state and non-state actors" is a concept in international relations and security studies that describes the entities influencing a country's affairs from outside its borders. External State actors are entities with the formal backing of a sovereign government, such as the army, bureaucracy, or intelligence agencies of countries like China and Pakistan. Non-state actors are groups or individuals that wield significant influence over international events but lack formal state backing, including Multinational Companies (MNCs), NGOs, civil society organizations, and extremist outfits.
The traditional, state-centric view of international relations began to be challenged in the late 1960s and early 1970s, as non-state actors became more involved in global politics. This shift is connected to globalisation and liberalisation, which have increased the influence of non-state actors and reduced the power of states in the international system.
These actors influence India, often by posing challenges to its Internal Security. External State actors may provide funding, military training, logistic support, or arms supplies to insurgent, Naxalite, or separatist groups, and have been accused of conducting cyber warfare and espionage. Non-state actors like terrorist groups, such as Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad, have been used by states like Pakistan to wage a proxy war against India. Other non-state actors, including certain NGOs and CSOs, are alleged to run propagandas to destabilise the socio-religious fabric. The concept connects to the broader field of International Relations and the study of Intergovernmental Organizations (IGOs) like the United Nations. While the core distinction between state and non-state actors remains, the influence of non-state actors has grown significantly in recent decades, making the international system more complex.