Perspectives from and within India and its Neighbourhood

About the Book:

Perspectives from and within India and its Neighbourhood explores India’s engagement with its immediate region against the backdrop of rapidly evolving geopolitical realities. Grounded in India’s Neighbourhood First Policy, the volume combines rigorous academic research with practitioner perspectives to examine New Delhi’s regional strategies alongside key political, economic, and security developments across South Asia and the Indian Ocean region.

The book is structured in three interlinked sections. The first analyses India’s bilateral relationships with Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Myanmar, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives, tracing historical trajectories while assessing contemporary challenges shaped by domestic political shifts, security concerns, and China’s expanding strategic footprint. The second section foregrounds perspectives from within the neighbourhood, offering insights into how India is perceived across political and social contexts. It highlights the gap between Indian policy intentions and regional expectations and shows how public opinion and internal dynamics influence these perceptions.

The final section addresses shared regional challenges through thematic discussions on economic cooperation, security, climate change, energy transition, maritime collaboration, and social linkages, underscoring the need for coordinated regional responses. This volume will be valuable for policymakers, diplomats, scholars, students, and informed readers seeking a nuanced, policy-relevant understanding of India’s neighbourhood.

About the Author:

Shishir Priyadarshi is the President of Chintan Research Foundation. He is a former WTO Director with over twenty-two years of experience in international trade, economic policy, and development. As a former IAS officer, he served at senior levels in India and globally, published extensively, held academic affiliations worldwide, and remains committed to sustainable, inclusive development across public service, multilateral institutions, and academia spanning policy, negotiation, and governance globally.

Dr Cchavi Vasisht is an Associate Fellow at the Centre for Geopolitics and Strategic Studies, Chintan Research Foundation. She holds a PhD from Jawaharlal Nehru University and is a UGC NET Senior Research Fellow. Her research focuses on South and Southeast Asian geopolitics, Myanmar, and gender. She has co-edited a book “Revisiting Myanmar” and through her writings examines regional security and political transitions with rigorous interdisciplinary perspectives.