Description
The decade 2004-14- when the two United Progressive Alliance (UPA) governments, led by prime minister Manmohan Singh, were in office- was a remarkable milestone in the history of India's diplomacy. The period saw a significant transformation in the way India deals with the external world. Under the quiet and active leadership of prime minister Manmohan Singh, India established important strategic partnerships, managed key security challenges, carved out a position of influence in core domains of global governance, and fostered the economic development and socio-political stability of its neighbourhood. The ten years of UPA rule has been a crucial passage in the evolution of India's foreign policy, and yet this period has been-until now-curiously understudied. This book bridges this puzzling gap in the literature. In this book, seventeen eminent scholars of international relations, drawn from leading universities around the world, examine and debate India's diplomacy during this period. This is the first comprehensive assessment of the transformations brought by the UPA governments in India's foreign policy. It offers a wide-ranging analysis of India's bilateral relations and engagements with important geographic regions, as well as insight into India's diplomacy on major issue areas such as international trade, nuclear policy, maritime security, energy, and UN Security Council reform.
About the Author
Rejaul Karim Laskar is former Secretary of the Vichar Vibhag of All India Congress Committee. Over the last one and half decades, Laskar has written extensively on the foreign policy of the two UPA Governments. He did his PhD from Diplomacy and Disarmament Division, Centre for International Politics Organization and Disarmament, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.
Reviews
a seminal addition to works on Indian diplomacy * AMB. SHIVSHANKAR MENON, Former National Security Advisor of India *
a major contribution to contemporary diplomatic history * AMB. SHYAM SARAN, Former Foreign Secretary of India *
most impressive, thoughtful and insightful volume * PROF. SUMIT GANGULY, Rabindranath Tagore Chair in Indian Cultures and Civilizations, Indiana University, Bloomington *
required reading for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners interested in the emergence of India as a rising power * DR. VIVIAN S. WALKER, Executive Director, United States Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy *
"A valuable and timely book. Bringing together reputed international scholars, this comprehensive and readable work on India's significant bilateral, regional, and global initiatives and policies during UPA rule, 2004-14, is a seminal addition to works on Indian diplomacy. The UPA government presided over India's high-growth years, handled significant transitions such as the global financial crisis, expanded India's role abroad, and integrated India into the global polity and economy. If news is only the first rough draft of history, this is a polished final manuscript which will be the basis of serious future academic studies of this pivotal period in India's international relations and transformation." -Amb. Shivshankar Menon, Former National Security Advisor of India
"This is a most impressive, thoughtful and insightful volume on the origins and evolution of India's foreign policy during the UPA government. The volume deftly covers relations with key countries and regions as well as addressing a number of critical thematic issues ranging from its nuclear diplomacy to its long-standing quest for a Security Council seat. Those seeking an understanding of the dynamics of foreign policy making during the UPA era will benefit considerably from a careful perusal of this book." - Prof. Sumit Ganguly, Rabindranath Tagore Chair in Indian Cultures and Civilizations, Indiana University, Bloomington
"The decade of 2004-14 under UPA rule marked many key transitions for India. It was acknowledged as a major emerging economy with rising military, scientific and technological capabilities and with a vibrant plural democracy. It achieved remarkable diplomatic success with the landmark nuclear deal, a more constructive relationship with China and a neighbourhood policy which promised both enhanced security and economic benefits. Forging New Partnerships Breaking New Frontiers provides a welcome spotlight on a decisive decade in India's external relations under the leadership of a statesman and visionary, Dr. Manmohan Singh. This is a major contribution to contemporary diplomatic history." - AMB. SHYAM SARAN, Former Foreign Secretary of India
"Forging New Partnerships is a much-needed volume focusing on India's foreign policy under the United Progressive Alliance Government. Covering a sweeping range of issues, the book gathers together diverse perspectives to offer a nuanced picture of a crucial period in diplomatic history." -Prof. Sugata Ray, Director (Interim), Institute for South Asia Studies, University of California, Berkeley
"The period 2004-14 witnessed a global financial crisis, the beginnings of a backlash against globalization and the rise of nationalist politics around the world. In the new book "Forging New Partnerships, Breaching New Frontiers: India's Diplomacy during the UPA rule 2004-14", the editor Rejaul Laskar brings together a diverse set of area specialists from around the world to provide an insightful set of new perspectives on how India's foreign policy contended with this rapidly changing landscape." - Prof. Saumitra Jha, Associate Professor, Stanford University
"This scholarly, highly readable volume offers a new and detailed assessment of key transformations in India's foreign policy from 2004-2014. It should be required reading for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners interested in the emergence of India as a rising power in a volatile region. Its diverse group of contributors also offers valuable insights into the ambivalent relationship between India's domestic politics, regional interests, and global aspirations." - Dr. Vivian S. Walker, Executive Director, United States Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy
"The book on India's Foreign Policy during the UPA rule gives a rare holistic insight in an important period of time. A period where geo-politics and geo-economy emerged and impacted the game of diplomacy increasingly - also India. On one hand, the UPA-government had to be loyal to its traditional values and its ideology, and on the other hand it had to strike a balance with a changing World, especially the rise of China. Eminent scholars and diplomats present to readers a rich and deep dive into Indian diplomacy under PM Manmohan Singh. Perhaps, the most interesting finding is how the calm and soft personality perfectly shaped the most soft diplomacy of any Indian government. A perfect match in the transition from pure Non-alignment to a more active caretaking of India's National interests. For an active diplomat it is a must to know the past. Please read the book if you love diplomacy.." -Amb. Freddy Svane, Ambassador of Denmark to India
"This iS an excellent volume on Indian Foreign Policy between 2004-14. An important and informative contribution to the academic and policy literature, the book sheds new light on a range of regional, bilateral, and multilateral engagements made by India in this critical period." - Dr. Debak Das, Stanton Nuclear Security Postdoctoral Fellow, Stanford University
Book Information
ISBN 9780192868060
Author Rejaul Karim Laskar
Format Hardback
Page Count 438
Imprint Oxford University Press
Publisher Oxford University Press
Weight(grams) 668g
Dimensions(mm) 225mm * 145mm * 30mm
About the Author
Rejaul Karim Laskar is former Secretary of the Vichar Vibhag of All India Congress Committee. Over the last one and half decades, Laskar has written extensively on the foreign policy of the two UPA Governments. He did his PhD from Diplomacy and Disarmament Division, Centre for International Politics Organization and Disarmament, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.
Reviews
a seminal addition to works on Indian diplomacy * AMB. SHIVSHANKAR MENON, Former National Security Advisor of India *
a major contribution to contemporary diplomatic history * AMB. SHYAM SARAN, Former Foreign Secretary of India *
most impressive, thoughtful and insightful volume * PROF. SUMIT GANGULY, Rabindranath Tagore Chair in Indian Cultures and Civilizations, Indiana University, Bloomington *
required reading for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners interested in the emergence of India as a rising power * DR. VIVIAN S. WALKER, Executive Director, United States Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy *
"A valuable and timely book. Bringing together reputed international scholars, this comprehensive and readable work on India's significant bilateral, regional, and global initiatives and policies during UPA rule, 2004-14, is a seminal addition to works on Indian diplomacy. The UPA government presided over India's high-growth years, handled significant transitions such as the global financial crisis, expanded India's role abroad, and integrated India into the global polity and economy. If news is only the first rough draft of history, this is a polished final manuscript which will be the basis of serious future academic studies of this pivotal period in India's international relations and transformation." -Amb. Shivshankar Menon, Former National Security Advisor of India
"This is a most impressive, thoughtful and insightful volume on the origins and evolution of India's foreign policy during the UPA government. The volume deftly covers relations with key countries and regions as well as addressing a number of critical thematic issues ranging from its nuclear diplomacy to its long-standing quest for a Security Council seat. Those seeking an understanding of the dynamics of foreign policy making during the UPA era will benefit considerably from a careful perusal of this book." - Prof. Sumit Ganguly, Rabindranath Tagore Chair in Indian Cultures and Civilizations, Indiana University, Bloomington
"The decade of 2004-14 under UPA rule marked many key transitions for India. It was acknowledged as a major emerging economy with rising military, scientific and technological capabilities and with a vibrant plural democracy. It achieved remarkable diplomatic success with the landmark nuclear deal, a more constructive relationship with China and a neighbourhood policy which promised both enhanced security and economic benefits. Forging New Partnerships Breaking New Frontiers provides a welcome spotlight on a decisive decade in India's external relations under the leadership of a statesman and visionary, Dr. Manmohan Singh. This is a major contribution to contemporary diplomatic history." - AMB. SHYAM SARAN, Former Foreign Secretary of India
"Forging New Partnerships is a much-needed volume focusing on India's foreign policy under the United Progressive Alliance Government. Covering a sweeping range of issues, the book gathers together diverse perspectives to offer a nuanced picture of a crucial period in diplomatic history." -Prof. Sugata Ray, Director (Interim), Institute for South Asia Studies, University of California, Berkeley
"The period 2004-14 witnessed a global financial crisis, the beginnings of a backlash against globalization and the rise of nationalist politics around the world. In the new book "Forging New Partnerships, Breaching New Frontiers: India's Diplomacy during the UPA rule 2004-14", the editor Rejaul Laskar brings together a diverse set of area specialists from around the world to provide an insightful set of new perspectives on how India's foreign policy contended with this rapidly changing landscape." - Prof. Saumitra Jha, Associate Professor, Stanford University
"This scholarly, highly readable volume offers a new and detailed assessment of key transformations in India's foreign policy from 2004-2014. It should be required reading for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners interested in the emergence of India as a rising power in a volatile region. Its diverse group of contributors also offers valuable insights into the ambivalent relationship between India's domestic politics, regional interests, and global aspirations." - Dr. Vivian S. Walker, Executive Director, United States Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy
"The book on India's Foreign Policy during the UPA rule gives a rare holistic insight in an important period of time. A period where geo-politics and geo-economy emerged and impacted the game of diplomacy increasingly - also India. On one hand, the UPA-government had to be loyal to its traditional values and its ideology, and on the other hand it had to strike a balance with a changing World, especially the rise of China. Eminent scholars and diplomats present to readers a rich and deep dive into Indian diplomacy under PM Manmohan Singh. Perhaps, the most interesting finding is how the calm and soft personality perfectly shaped the most soft diplomacy of any Indian government. A perfect match in the transition from pure Non-alignment to a more active caretaking of India's National interests. For an active diplomat it is a must to know the past. Please read the book if you love diplomacy.." -Amb. Freddy Svane, Ambassador of Denmark to India
"This iS an excellent volume on Indian Foreign Policy between 2004-14. An important and informative contribution to the academic and policy literature, the book sheds new light on a range of regional, bilateral, and multilateral engagements made by India in this critical period." - Dr. Debak Das, Stanton Nuclear Security Postdoctoral Fellow, Stanford University
Book Information
ISBN 9780192868060
Author Rejaul Karim Laskar
Format Hardback
Page Count 438
Imprint Oxford University Press
Publisher Oxford University Press
Weight(grams) 668g
Dimensions(mm) 225mm * 145mm * 30mm
