Iraq is a vital country in the region. It is an essential part of India's extended neighbourhood, not merely for its ineluctable geopolitical and geo-economic significance but also because of its vast historical and cultural importance.

The revised National Security Strategy makes a cogent case of Japan’s evolving character as a decisive security actor. The conversation in Tokyo demonstrates a renewed sense of urgency in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Sino-US strategic contest, and post-pandemic mainstreaming of economic security.

An analysis of India in global governance showcases India as a versatile actor. Its role in the governance of different issue areas namely climate change, development assistance, trade and disarmament has been tempered by the nature of the regime in each case.

China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the multi-billion dollar flagship project under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has brought the Sino-Pakistan partnership at the centre stage of contemporary strategic discourse.

In Central Asia, China and Russia are emphasizing upon raising levels of cooperation between themselves for mutual benefit over other competing players. In effect, they have split responsibilities in the region, with Russia focusing on security issues and China contributing mainly to economic development issues, particularly through investment in infrastructure.

Defence and security cooperation have been the mainstays of the India-Israel strategic engagement. The Monograph places in perspective these aspects of the relationship, three decades into the establishment of full diplomatic ties. The study notes that India is taking a series of measures to enhance domestic procurement and defence indigenization.

The discipline of defence diplomacy picked up salience as an important component of foreign policy with most major militaries by the end of the Cold War. Particularly, in the last three decades, it has become a vital instrument in the diplomatic tool-bag of most countries.

The monograph looks at how major powers have tried to pursue three objectives in cyberspace, viz. (1) strengthening or enhancing national cyber defences, and (2) striving to shape the international cyber environment by leveraging economic and technological capabilities, and (3) through defining and evangelising international cyber norms. A section on the cybersecurity preparedness of the countries of the South Asian region is incorporated to highlight those vulnerabilities and deficient capacities and capabilities that give the major powers a foothold to pursue their objectives.

The two Himalayan states—Nepal and Bhutan—adopted a new political system in 2008. Nepal upgraded the existing multiparty system by excluding the monarchy. Therefore, Nepal had Constituent Assembly elections in May 2008.

India's multilateral approach has been influenced and guided by multiple strategies, interests, values and has transformed significantly through the decades. However, most foreign policy scholars have argued that India has often acted like a "spoiler" or "rule-breaker" in multilateral negotiations.