Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses
मनोहर पर्रिकर रक्षा अध्ययन एवं विश्लेषण संस्थान

Nihar R. Nayak

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Dr. Nihar R. Nayak is Research Fellow with MP-IDSA, New Delhi. His areas of expertise are: political transition in the eastern Himalayan region, non-traditional security, soft power diplomacy, left wing extremism, and cooperative security in South Asia. Dr. Nayak has a Ph.D in International Politics from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. He was Visiting Fellow to the Peace Research Institute Oslo in June 2006 and July 2007. He did a special course on Peace Research at the International Summer School of Oslo University in 2007. He has been Visiting Faculty at the Centre for the Study of Nepal, Faculty of Social Sciences, Banaras Hindu University since 2011. He was Guest Faculty at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), Mussoorie from 2006 to 2011. He has both national and international publications to his credit including the book Strategic Himalayas: Republican Nepal and External Powers.

Dr. Nayak’s current research project is “Impact of Climate Change in the Himalayan Region: Security Implications for India”. 

Research Fellow

Publication

Nihar Nayak’s Article ‘Political Flux in Nepal: Strategic Adjustments by India and China’ Published in South Asian Voices

Research Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr Nihar Nayak’s article ‘Political Flux in Nepal: Strategic Adjustments by India and China’ has been published in South Asian Voices on 26 January 2026. As the country remains in a political flux, Nepal’s two immediate neighbours—India and China—have watched developments closely since the Gen Z protests given their significant strategic equities in the Himalayan region, writes Dr Nayak. Read Complete Article [+]/ Disclaimer: The views expressed by the author are personal and do not in any way reflect the views of MP-IDSA or the Government of India.

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Nihar Nayak’s Article ‘Three Scenarios in Nepal: House reinstatement, new poll date most likely’ Published in Nepalkhabar

Research Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr Nihar Nayak’s article ‘Three Scenarios in Nepal: House reinstatement, new poll date most likely’ has been published in Nepalkhabar news portal on 28 October 2025.

India’s ties with Nepal are rooted in shared history, trade, and strong people-to-people connections, bolstered by an open border, says Dr Nayak.

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Disclaimer: The views expressed by the author are personal and do not in any way reflect the views of MP-IDSA or the Government of India.

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Nihar R Nayak and Sneha M’s Co-authored Article ‘Democracy Vs Monarchy: The Unfolding Crisis in Nepal’ Published in Journal of Peace Studies

Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Research Fellow, Dr Nihar R Nayak and Research Analyst Ms Sneha M co-authored the article ‘Democracy Vs Monarchy: The Unfolding Crisis in Nepal’, published in April - June, 2025 edition of Journal of Peace Studies, by International Centre for Peace Studies. The article analyses the resurgence of pro-monarchy protests in Nepal since March 2025. It links the movement to growing public frustration over political instability, corruption, and economic decline. Read Complete Article [+] Disclaimer: The views expressed by the author are personal and do not in any way reflect the views of MP-IDSA or the Government of India.

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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.

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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/-

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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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