Book Discussion: Perspectives from and within India and its Neighbourhood

Perspectives From and Within India and Its Neighbourhood offers a comprehensive and nuanced examination of India’s engagement with South Asia, grounded in the recognition that geography, history, and proximity make sustained regional engagement unavoidable. Anchored in the logic of India’s Neighbourhood First Policy, the book situates contemporary diplomacy within a broader structural reality shaped by shared civilisational ties, political volatility, security concerns, and shifting geopolitical alignments.

The volume is organised into three interlinked sections. The first provides country-specific analyses of India’s bilateral relations with Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Myanmar, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives. These chapters trace how historical legacies, domestic political transitions, security imperatives, and China’s expanding regional footprint influence India’s differentiated policy approaches. Together, they demonstrate that India’s neighbourhood strategy is neither uniform nor static, but highly contextual and adaptive.

The second section moves beyond Indian policy intent to examine how India is perceived within neighbouring countries. By foregrounding regional voices, the book explores how domestic politics, public opinion, identity, and centre–state dynamics shape responses to India’s actions, often revealing gaps between diplomatic objectives and on-ground reception.

The third section addresses shared regional challenges, including economic integration, security, climate change, energy transition, migration, and maritime cooperation. It highlights persistent barriers to regional connectivity and trust, while also assessing India’s role as a development partner and first responder during crises.

By bringing together scholars, former diplomats, and regional experts, this volume bridges academic analysis and policy practice. It invites readers to move beyond binaries and assumptions, offering a balanced, policy-relevant perspective on the constraints and possibilities shaping India’s neighbourhood engagement in a rapidly transforming regional order.