China has been a part of the Afghan maze, but landlocked Afghanistan seemed to have factored either marginally or episodically in its geopolitical quests in the past decades. While the role of certain regional actors in Afghanistan has been far widely debated and analysed, China’s role, particularly the nature and scope of its bilateral interactions and engagements with various Afghan regimes in Kabul, from Zahir Shah to the Taliban, has remained comparatively understudied. This book is a modest effort in that direction.

The edited volume comprises 16 chapters contributed by Afghan, Central Asian, Iranian, Russian, Western, and Indian scholars and analysts. The chapters not only dwell on country perspectives but also key issues of concern to the people of Afghanistan and the wider region. It includes terrorism, transnational crime, drug production and distribution, the governance system and the state of education in Afghanistan. The contributions in the volume paint an unflattering view of the ground reality in Afghanistan, and a connecting thread of pessimism runs through various analyses.

In 1947, the Indian subcontinent was partitioned, and Pakistan was born. A shared heritage, a composite culture and centuries-old bonds between people, all seemed to vanish overnight. Nowhere was this rupture more profound than in the Indus Basin—once a unified lifeline of the region, now fragmented by sovereign borders, its rivers flowing through two nations immediately at odds with each other. The Indus Waters Treaty was signed in 1960, proving that even bitter adversaries could cooperate over shared resources. Yet, it never brought lasting peace. The treaty was suspended by India in April 2025 as a punitive measure in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, and its future remains shrouded in uncertainty. Can it still endure and adapt? Perhaps the time has come for a new arrangement—one that is not just inevitable but essential. This book traces the turbulent history of the Indus Basin and examines how the Indus Waters Treaty has been shaped by the region’s ever-evolving political dynamics. It explores the role of key leaders on both sides, as well as external pressures, in shaping and reshaping one of the world’s most critical transboundary water agreements. The Indus Basin has been a witness to conflict, compromise and survival. And if you seek to understand the true nature of India–Pakistan relations, start with the rivers that bind them. Trial by Water leads us in that direction.

The appeal and allure of the Mahabharata have remained undiluted for centuries. It is the first text that lays the foundation of Indian strategic thought. This book's analysis is based on the English translation of The Critical Edition of the Mahabharata, by the late Bibek Debroy. The epic falls in the unique category of itihasa, which translates to “it happened like this”. Drawing on historical facts, its primary aim remains deriving lessons and contextualising these with the present. It is a living text with a timeless appeal. The Mahabharata is a foundational text for Indian strategic thought. It successfully distils ancient strategic wisdom through a combination of descriptive, didactic and prescriptive approaches. In doing so, dharma remains its abiding spiritual, philosophical and strategic anchor, with Krishna as its primary architect. This guidance frames the objective of yoga kshema as the raja dharma of a king, or a state, in contemporary times. The book discusses a conceptual framework for wars. This includes its conditional acceptability, planning process and conduct. The book also compares key aspects of the Mahabharata with the Arthashastra and Nitisara, to identify common elements of strategic thought over a period spanning almost 2,000 years.

International Relations stand at a crucial juncture today. The multilateral order represented by the United Nations and the Bretton Woods system has not met the evolving requirements of changes in the balance of power. The global community today is confronted with a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in stasis, with major powers ranged against one another, on trade and technology and in the context of ongoing military conflicts. This edited volume attempts to encapsulate India`s pragmatic foreign policy outlook in an international order that is characterised by polycrisis, polarisation and eroding global consensus on pressing issues. The book is the outcome of the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA)`s pilot project, the Director General`s Young Scholars` Book Initiative. The core aim of this project is to inculcate in the young scholars at the level of Research Analysts (RAs), the art of conceptualising, drafting, editing and publishing an edited volume in accordance with the high standards of the Institute. Above all, it offers an opportunity to view geopolitics through the eyes of the young scholars who will take academic research forward.

This book explores the evolving character of modern warfare and its profound implications on military doctrines, strategy, and operations. The multi-domain (land, air, sea, cyber, and space) nature of modern wars and advancements in military and dual use technologies are forcing the armed forces to adapt to the resultant complexities. The increasing complexity of military operations demands greater inter-agency coordination, adaptability, and resilience. In parallel, the book examines the significant organisational challenges faced by the armed forces due to emerging risks in defence resource management. The later sections of the book focus on the strategic dimensions of defence in India, particularly how the country can enhance its defence capabilities and achieve its goal of Atmanirbharta (self-reliance) in defence.

The Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) entered into force in 1975. This treaty prohibits the development, production, and stockpiling of biological and toxin weapons. This volume offers a comprehensive examination of the BWC's historical development, notable achievements, and the challenges it may encounter in the future. It examines the treaty's role in international security and assesses its effectiveness in preventing the misuse of biology for hostile purpose-a must-read for scholars, policymakers, and security professionals.

The May 1998 Shakti-series tests marked India`s emergence as a nuclear weapons state. These tests faced initial global resistance, but over time, this opposition gave way to understanding and reconciliation. India actively engaged with the international community to explain the security rationale behind its nuclear weaponization. The existing nuclear world order, anchored in the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, did not adequately address India’s security concerns. To reinforce its commitment to responsible nuclear behaviour, India undertook measures to demonstrate restraint and reliability. This book examines India’s nuclear journey over 25 years. It explores the evolution of India’s nuclear policy, dispelling myths surrounding its nuclear weapons programmme and highlighting the diplomatic efforts that led to its gradual integration into the global nuclear order. Over time, the international non-proliferation regime has developed a constructive relationship with India, recognizing its nuclear force as a security necessity rather than a tool for power projection or intimidation. The book also delves into India’s nuclear doctrine, its confidence-building measures—both self-initiated and those proposed by global civil society—and its participation in global nuclear governance. Despite its nuclear weapons programme, India has remained committed to the peaceful applications of nuclear science and technology, emerging as a key player in global nuclear research and development. While nuclear disarmament remains a distant goal, it continues to be a fundamental aspiration for nuclear India.

This book delves into the intricate dynamics surrounding the creation of Nepal’s constitution and the persistent struggle for inclusion by marginalised groups such as the Madhesis, Janajatis, and others. It provides a comprehensive analysis of the movements opposing the 2015 Constitution and their implications for Nepal’s internal stability and India-Nepal relations.

The text is structured into six chapters, in addition to the introduction and conclusion. The introduction provides an overview of the key themes in the book as well as the research methodology employed in the study. The book begins by examining Nepal’s ethnic-regional dynamics, highlighting the dominance of Hill elites and the marginalisation of Janajati and Madhesi communities despite constitutional promises of inclusivity. It traces the evolution of Janajati and Madhesi movements, detailing their historical roles, internal divisions, and struggles to consolidate political power. The book explores the Madhesi identity discourse, shaped by cultural discrimination, and examines how fragmentation within the Madhesi movement has weakened public support and controversies involving India’s perceived role. It also discusses the Maoist movement’s appropriation and neglect of Janajati demands, the challenges faced by Nepal’s constituent assemblies in drafting an inclusive constitution, and the growing public disillusionment with the democratic process. Finally, it analyses external influences on Nepal’s internal politics, including Western countries’ advocacy for ethnic-based federalism, India’s strained relations over Madhesi demands, and China’s reservations about federalist policies.

The study bridges a critical research gap by focusing on post-2015 developments in these movements and their evolution within the changing political landscape. The conclusion warns that without empathetic efforts to address marginalised groups’ demands, Nepal risks prolonged political instability and strained relations with India, given the latter’s deep societal and strategic ties with Nepal. This book is essential for those seeking to understand Nepal’s constitutional journey, its marginalised communities’ aspirations, and the broader regional ramifications.

South Asia, home to nearly 1.9 billion people, remains one of the least integrated regions globally, despite its enormous economic potential and shared cultural ties. In an era where regional cooperation is vital for achieving sustained growth and addressing common challenges, South Asia lags behind other regions in terms of trade, investment, and cross-border connectivity. Achieving Regional Economic Integration in South Asia explores the barriers that have historically hindered economic cooperation in the region, from political tensions and infrastructure deficits to regulatory obstacles and economic asymmetries. This edited volume brings together leading scholars and policymakers to analyze these challenges and offer actionable solutions. Covering critical areas such as trade liberalization, energy cooperation, digital connectivity, and the role of external actors, the book provides a comprehensive roadmap for fostering deeper economic ties among South Asian nations. Drawing on lessons from other successful regional blocs such as ASEAN and the European Union, this volume highlights how economic integration can enhance regional stability, promote growth, and lift millions out of poverty. It is an essential resource for anyone interested in South Asia`s economic future and the pathways to greater regional cooperation.