This issue features an analysis of how China uses sharp power to promote national interests; Kautilya’s Arthashastra, strategic culture and grand strategic preferences; and India’s potential for defence diplomacy with Southeast Asia. Also included is a commentary on the emerging India-Indonesia comprehensive strategic partnership and five book reviews.

Contents

Editorial

Focus

• From Smart Power to Sharp Power: How China Promotes her National Interests

  — Mandip Singh

• Kautilya’s Arthashastra: Indian Strategic Culture and Grand Strategic Preferences

  — Kajari Kamal

• India’s Defence Diplomacy with Southeast Asia: An Impetus to Act East

  — Vignesh Ram

Commentary

• Emerging India-Indonesia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

  — Udai Bhanu Singh

Book Reviews

• Mission Overseas: Daring Operations by the Indian Military, by Sushant Singh

  — Ghanshyam Katoch

• Army and Nation: The Military and Indian Democracy since Independence, by Steven I. Wilkinson

  — Kartik Bommakanti

• Indian Aircraft Industry: Possible Innovations for Success in the Twenty-First Century, by Vivek Kapur

  — Kishore Kumar Khera

• The Great Game in Afghanistan: Rajiv Gandhi, General Zia, and the Unending War, by Kallol Bhattacherjee

  — N. Bahri

• The Battlefields of Imphal: The Second World War and North East India, by Hemant Singh Katoch

  — Y.M. Bammi