India\'s Foreign Policy and Subcontinental Politics

Contents: Preface. 1. Introducing South Asia. 2. India and its neighbourhood. 3. India\'s South Asian policy. 4. Traditional problems. 5. The Gandhis in South Asia. 6. Rajiv\'s thrust in Indian diplomacy. 7. Towards regional co-operation. 8. Understanding security and stability. 9. Military balance. 10. Environmental paradigms and regional conflicts. 11. The US role in South Asia. 12. Russia and China as extra regional powers. 13. Track-two diplomacy in South Asia. 14. India in South Asia : beyond 2000. Index.

"The principal thrust of India\'s South Asian policy has been the establishment of friendly relations, co-operation in economic, socio-cultural and other areas, building common security consensus among neighbours and prevention of interference from extra-regional powers. Yet the quality of her relationship varies in a background of highly complex and variable bilateral relationships. The traditional problems, internal and external conditions influencing India\'s relations with rest of South Asian countries under pre- and post-independence generations have been analysed. South Asia today, remains one of the major flashpoints left in the world after the end of the cold war. In this context the book strives to provide a futuristic glimpse into the relationship of these proximate nation states and present a scenario catering to the needs of allround structural adjustment in a nuclearised South Asia vis-a-vis global change and compulsions of an the new world order. A comparative assessment of Gandhi, era, India\'s role in SAARC nations, South Asian security issues, pre and post-nuclear differences in perception, prospects and futuristic projections form the theme and strength of this volume. The book caters to the needs of avid readers, administrators, bureaucrats and politicians alike linked with the study of South Asian politics. If the ensuing text arouses interest of common man and persons shaping policy strategies about what should be done and what would be possible in context of past-nuclear South Asian perspectives, the purpose of this treatise will be amply served. The volume is an original piece of research work and a conceptual synthesis of facts and circumstantial informations scattered in governmental policy publications and vast array of literature. The book should find a place in personal and institutional libraries." (jacket)