An anthology of twenty-three article by authors subject experts which touch every component of India's foreign policy and excusive the new tendencies on the commerciality of interests.

The foreign policy of any country is not a static phenomenon and this is certainly true of a huge and complex country like India, getting ready to emerge as a major global player in the 21st century. Jawahar Lal Nehru - India's first Prime Minister - provided the ideological framework from which continuities and changes in foreign policies can be dissected and inferences drawn on the ideological or pragmatic shifts. India has showcased itself not only as a matured democratic polity, but also as an equally matured economy. It has stood tall and robust as a mammoth, amidst the domineering global financial meltdown and an equally contagious disease - authoritarianism - in the neighboring developing world. There is an intense support to Nehru's passionate implementation of ethics and morality in India's policy-making. Whatever be the nature of engagement with Nehru's legacy in policy-making, that distinct 'Nehruvian' flavor to India's foreign policy is retained. Despite compelling circumstances like the Iraq war, the war in Afghanistan, and India's nuclear deal, India has strived to maintain her non-aligned stance. Similarly, conflicts in the territories of immediate neighbors have called for a much more serious and responsible role to be played by India. Under such circumstances, an intermix of a hesitant shift from the Nehruvian legacy, as well as an attempt to utilize it as a marker of India's distinct foreign policy making remains a reality. This book provides deep insights into the various dimensions of India's foreign policy, focusing on recent developments. The perspectives underscore the importance of regional co-operation - especially among South Asian countries - and engage insightfully with the debate over the Nehruvian legacy.

Papers presented at a three day international seminar held at Tirupati in October 2003.

The book examines India’s current and looming foreign policy challenges from a strategic and policy-oriented perspective. It analyzes the long-term factors and trends that should determine the country’s foreign policy formulation. The author urges a reappraisal of India’s approach if it is to become a major player in the complex and rapidly evolving 21st century world. Strategic Conundrums: Rethinking India’s Foreign Policy focuses on India’s immediate and strategic neighbourhood. It also looks at important issues like energy security, economic diplomacy, the interaction between defence and diplomacy, and foreign policy institutions. A unique feature of the book is that it combines the perspectives of a historian, a diplomat and a scholar. With many new out-of-the-box ideas and policy suggestions, it makes a valuable contribution to the ongoing debate on foreign policy within India’s strategic community. This lucid and succinct book is a must-read for policy-makers, diplomats and foreign policy analysts. The corporate and business community too will find it professionally relevant. It is also an important knowledge resource for students of Indian politics, international relations, and defence and strategic studies, and others who are interested in India’s foreign policy.

India is becoming an increasingly visible, powerful and influential state within the global system. As this rise to prominence continues, better appreciating the interests and principles that structure the international interactions of South Asia’s largest state has never been so important. Keen to embrace an expectant future as a great power, India’s transitional journey has been characterised by astounding diplomatic achievements and significant strategic failures. In this robust and comprehensive analysis, Chris Ogden introduces students to the key dimensions of Indian foreign policy from her emergence as a modern state in 1947 to the present day. Combining theoretical insight with numerous case studies and profiles, he examines the foreign policy making process, strategic thinking, the crucial search for economic growth, and India’s difficult regional position and troubled borders. Tracking the trajectory of one of the 21st century’s major Asian and global powers, later chapters focus on New Delhi’s multilateral interaction, great power dynamics, and expanding relations with the United States and the world. Critically assessing what kind of great power India can and wants to be, this wide-ranging introduction will be an invaluable text for students of South Asian politics, foreign policy, and international relations.

China's exponential rise and America's relative decline have led to a transition of power in contemporary Asia. The US pivot towards Asia is the most evident manifestation of such a transition, and Indian foreign policy shows signs of a hedging strategy, with attempts to strengthen ties with both China and the US.

This authoritative work on India's foreign policy rests on the fundamental values of international relations that India has cherished. Efforts have been made to analyze these values and to evaluate to what extent these have been implemented and to what extent these have been effective. This edition of the book has been updated to include new issues that have emerged and have come to dominate India’s foreign policy concerns. India’s stance on Climate Change has undergone an evolution in the last two decades which is important to understand. Similarly, India’s relation with Israel which was tepid and limited till 1992 has undergone a radical transformation ever since. India has forged a close and important partnership with Israel which will be critical going forward for it, especially in the defence sector. India and Israel have also come to share a sense of solidarity, being common victims of terrorism as was highlighted by the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks of 2008. Thus, it is important to take stock of India’s growing relationship with Israel. Furthermore, the rise of China is the biggest geopolitical challenge India faces in this century. This edition discusses how India is seeking to formulate a foreign policy in accordance with its emergence as a major international power. It also discusses India’s relations with its neighbours in South Asia.

Contributed articles.

Collection of articles on various aspects of Indian foreign policy.