Strategic Analysis

World Politics and the Security of India

This article deals with two questions: first, what is the security framework in which an Indian decision-maker must operate? Secondly, what are the specific policy restraints which affect Indian decision-making? Both these questions are cast in terms of Indian nuclear policy and it is assumed that the actual existence of a conventional Indian military deterrent against China and Pakistan is a ‘given’ in the present military and political equation in South Asian politics. The argument of this paper centres on the problem of defining ‘security’.

The Worst-Kept Secret: Israel’s Bargain with the Bomb by Avner Cohen

Columbia University Press, New York, 2010, pp. 416, $35, ISBN 978-0-231-13698-3

Punjabi Taliban by Mujahid Hussein (Urdu)

Nigareshat Publishers, Lahore, 2010, pp. 272, Rs350

Russia and Europe: Building Bridges, Digging Trenches by K. Englebrekt and B. Nygren (eds)

Routledge, New York, 2010, pp. 304-85 ISBN 13: 978-0-415-56105-1

India-China Relations: The Border Issue and Beyond by Mohan Guruswamy and Zorawar Daulet Singh

Viva Books Pvt. Ltd, New Delhi, 2009, pp. 217, Rs 795, ISBN 8130911957

Human Rights and Armed Forces in Low Intensity Conflict by K.S. Sheoran

‘China in SAARC? To What Effect?’: A Response to the Debate

The responses to the arguments that I forwarded in my initial essay, ‘China in SAARC? To What Effect?’, have introduced interesting dimensions to this debate. While most of the respondents have agreed with my proposition that it is premature to think about China's entry into the South Asian regionalist project and that it would introduce complex challenges that would be difficult to manage, they disagree with some of the reasons that I have cited.

The Time is Not Ripe for China’s Entry

Is democracy a criterion for the membership of SAARC? It is not. One should not forget that it was General Zia ur Rahman, president of Bangladesh, who had initiated regional cooperation as a part of his strategy to diversify Bangladesh's Indo-centric foreign policy after Sheikh Mujib's assassination. The grouping in the beginning had two monarchs from Nepal and Bhutan, two military dictators from Pakistan and Bangladesh, and one authoritarian ruler from the Maldives, apart from India and Sri Lanka which were democracies as member countries.

Comments on ‘China in SAARC: To What Effect?’

‘China in SAARC: To What Effect?’ is a detailed article and the author has elaborated the modest achievements of SAARC despite its 25 years of existence. One of the foremost problems in the regional grouping has been a restricted charter which desperately needs a revision.

‘China in SAARC? To What Effect?’: A Response

Sujit Dutta's article, ‘China in SAARC? To What Effect?’ is a thought-provoking essay. It raises an appropriate and timely debate on a theme that is of vital significance for the peace and prosperity of South Asia. Sujit has given a sound conceptual background on regionalism and has strongly argued against supporting China's membership in SAARC.

A recognised China specialist like Sujit sees the writing on the wall in view of the proposal of some of India's neighbours to include China in SAARC.