Nihar R. Nayak

Nihar Ranjan Nayak’s Book ‘Nepal: The Making of an Inclusive Constitution’ Discussed at Monday Morning Meeting

Research Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr Nihar Ranjan Nayak’s book ‘Nepal: The Making of an Inclusive Constitution’ was discussed at the Monday Morning Meeting on 04 August 2025. The discussion was moderated by Research Analyst, Ms Sneha Kumcha with Dr Ashok Behuria as discussant. Director General, Sujan R. Chinoy and MP-IDSA scholars shared their remarks.

India–US Defence Cooperation: Opportunity to Achieve Technological Superiority for Indian Armed Forces

Over the years, India has set up comprehensive infrastructure for the manufacture of defence equipment. Although considerable growth has taken place in indigenous capabilities, India is largely dependent on foreign technologies for the high-tech equipment. However, despite Transfer of Technology from foreign countries, the development of indigenous technologies has met with limited success. In the last two decades, India’s relations with the US have become stronger and India has been designated by the US as a ‘Major Defence Partner’. There have been a number of agreements between the two countries for collaborations in various fields including defence technologies, with iCET being the most promising initiative. This provides India with an excellent opportunity to achieve technological excellence with collaboration and co-development with the US. However, there are many challenges which may be an impediment to such development. This article examines India’s need for technology transfer, track record of technology transfers from the US, analyses the current agreements, identifies opportunities and challenges and recommends a way forward.

Nepal: The Making of an Inclusive Constitution, Demands, Debates, Dissents

Publisher: Pentagon Press

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.

ISBN: 9788198285737 ,
Price: ₹ 995/-

Nihar R. Nayak |
2025 |
Book

BIMSTEC 2024: A new journey for vibrant regional cooperation

Research Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr Nihar R. Nayak’s article ‘BIMSTEC 2024: A new journey for vibrant regional cooperation’ has been published by India News Network on 21 July 2024.

In the past more than two decades since its establishment, BIMSTEC has come a long way in distinguishing itself as a group with a vision for collective advancement, says Dr Nayak.

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Neighbourly nudge: India-Bangladesh ties in Modi 3.0

Research Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr Nihar R. Nayak’s article ‘Neighbourly nudge: India-Bangladesh ties in Modi 3.0’ has been published by India News Network on 30 June 2024.

Bangladesh holds a key position in India’s neighbourhood policy, given the deep historical, linguistic, cultural, political, and economic linkages between the two countries, says Dr Nayak.

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India-Bhutan relations: A Partnership Marked with Deep Trust and Mutual Understanding

Research Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr Nihar R Nayak’s article ‘India-Bhutan relations: A partnership marked with deep trust and mutual understanding’ has been published in India Vs Disinformation on 16 March 2024.

Despite various asymmetries, India and Bhutan acknowledge their dependence on each other and view each other as equal development partners in their efforts towards economic growth, the consolidation of democracy, and regional peace, says Dr Nayak.

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Sri Lanka: Warning for other SAARC Countries

Research Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr Nihar R. Nayak’s article ‘Sri Lanka: Warning for other SAARC countries’ was published in ‘The Annapurna Express’ on 17 July 2022.

The July 09 anti-corruption protest has pushed Sri Lanka into political instability and uncertainty, which would aggravate the ongoing economic crisis, says Dr Nayak.

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China’s new troubles in Nepal

Research Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr. Nihar R. Nayak’s article ‘China’s new troubles in Nepal’ has been published in ‘The Annarpuran Express’, Kathmandu, on 12 June 2022.
China has been dissatisfied with the Congress government’s decision to build Budhi Gandaki with national investment. At the same time, China understands the importance of having a left government in Kathmandu to address its security (Tibet) concerns and safeguard economic interests in the Himalayas. So China would want a return of a communist government after the forthcoming parliamentary elections, says Dr Nayak.

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Nepali PM’s Historic India Visit

Research Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr Nihar R. Nayak’s article ‘Nepali PM’s historic India visit’ has been published in the Nepali English daily ‘The Annapurna Express’ on 10 April 2022.

Although PM Deuba stayed in India for under 72 hours, the visit was well received by people of both the countries. During their joint press briefing, both leaders acknowledged fruitful discussions on wide-ranging issues. They reviewed progress in implementation of Indian projects in Nepal and agreed to further deepen and facilitate trade, energy, investment, and connectivity ties. In another major achievement of the visit, India acknowledged Nepal as one of the main pillars of its ‘neighborhood first’ policy, says Dr Nayak.

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IPCC report paints bleak picture of the Himalayas

Research Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr Nihar R. Nayak’s article ‘IPCC report paints bleak picture of the Himalayas’ has been published in the Nepalese daily ‘The Annapurna Express’ on 20 Mach 2022.

Climate change risks are imminent in the Himalayan region. Both individual states and HKH member countries as a whole have failed to adapt. Except for China and India, other countries that share topography with the Himalayas, struggle to implement resilient and adaptation programs due to insufficient funds and technology, says Dr Nayak.

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