Great Game East: India, China, and the Struggle for Asia's Most Volatile Frontier by Bertil Lintner (2-Jun-2015) Hardcover

by Bertil Lintner

There was the ‘Great Game’, the complex political machinations of Victorian Britain and Tsarist Russia in thenineteenth century; and there was the ‘New Great Game’, the conflict between the Western powers and Russia andChina over Central Asia’s oil and natural resources. But there is another Great Game that’s playing out in Asia – one that will significantly impact the course of global politics. Bertil Lintner calls it the ‘Great Game East’. On the eastern fringes of the Indian subcontinent, the rivalry between India and China grows ever warmer. The call of theNehruvian era, Hindi-Chini Bhai-Bhai, was drowned out by the resistance in Tibet and the unrest in India’s northeast, and the role the two countries played in these. The rivalry resulted in an on-the-ground battle in 1962, and an undeclared war since. Spies and agents from both countries have been stirring up trouble in the volatilefrontier areas all these years. Besides, intelligence agencies of various other countries (the United States, among them) have also been keeping a sharp eye on the developments in the region, particularly India’s northeast.Strategically located at the crossroads of the Indian subcontinent, China and Southeast Asia, the northeastern states of India and the continuing armed strife in that sector hold the key to understanding the true complexity of the hostilities and political ambitions that Asia’s two giants harbour. In the Great Game India, China and the Struggle for Asia’s Most Volatile Frontier, Bertil Lintner – acknowledged as one of the foremost experts on insurgencies in the region – unpacks the layers and layers of complex political intrigues and spy networks that define the Great Game East. A must-read for anyone who wishes to understand the political future of a continent, or indeed the world.

Genres: India, History, Politics, China, Nonfiction

Hardcover

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Shrikant Dalvi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a well studied compilation of events important for India, China, Myanmar and many insurgent factions in this volatile area. A must read for a student of Political Science and International Relations.
It goes to great depths in explaining each insurgent/movement/agitation in state-specific manner.
General theme noticed here is that China has always supported an anti-India cause through supply of weapons, ideology and use of their own southern provinces of Yunnan, Guangxi. But time has changed and so has the China's dynamics in strategic play in Myanmar and NorthEast India.
The Author goes on to say that The people of India are not new to the art of conducting espionage,covert operations and surveillance, thanks to Kautilya's 'Arthashastra' preaching four principles of 'sham','dam','danda','bhed' that helped Indian RAW & other intelligence networks to hold India intact.
Despite of many problems in NorthEast India, India has time and again shown through shrewd diplomacy and soft power has successfully suppressed a number of Insurgency problems if not all.
The author says that China punishes & even executes 'enemies of the state' but India on the other hand turns them into state politicians. This difference in political system makes authoritarian China more fragile than Democratic India.
The Main theater of Great Game was/is in NorthEast India, Myanmar and Tibet, now it will be the Indian Ocean (considering India) and the West Philippines Sea ( South China Sea) (for the ASEAN Nations).

India's 'Cultural Diplomacy' in Myanmar is what will keep Myanmar from being completely dependent on China and will serve India's interest of peace and prosperity in the NorthEast.


"Indian Ocean may be stormier than the heights of the Himalayas and the turbulent NorthEast" - Bertil Lintner.

[Ananta Pathak · Rating 4 out of 5]

With his deep knowledge of North East Indian insurgency movements and conflict in Burma, Lintner has produced gem of a book in this. He has interviewed and has travelled to all the locations from assam to Burma onward China. His knowledge of the geography of the areas and his interaction with all gets reflected in the fascinating details.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

The term 'the Great Game" is synonymous with the Age of Empires, a period that we tend to think ended in the middle of the twentieth century, and with the western part of the Himalayas where Russia, China, and Britain's imperial ambitions frequently clashed.

Bertil Lintner's new book shows us that a new Great Game has been under way for the last half century at the other end of the Himalayas, where Burma, Chinese Tibet, and India's troublesome northeast states meet. This time the major players are China and India, with intermittent interference from the USA, Pakistan and Russia (and formerly USSR).

The detail in this book will put many off. Even the most erudite scholar would be forgiven for being confused by Lintner's encyclopaedic cataloguing of the acronyms used by the various revolutionary movements in little-known Indian states such as Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur. But underneath the detail this is a compelling investigation into the relationships, territorial challenges and disputes (primarily between India and China) that may yet prove to be a major source of tension in Asia.

An important book, thoroughly researched.

[Prasenjit Basu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bertil Lintner was Burma correspondent for the Far Eastern Economic Review, and his wife is of Shan ethnicity. He thus had a front-row seat in the evolution of modern Burma, and the neighbouring region of north-eastern India where this masterpiece is based. Lintner meticulously documents China's support for Mizo, Assamese, Naga, Kachin, Manipuri, Wa, Shan and other rebels in India and Burma -- and the enigmatic role of the Communist Party of Burma (CPB) in the story.
A must-read for anyone wishing to understand China's role in destabilizing its neighbours over the past six decades.

[Rajiv Chopra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read one or two books by Bertil Lintner in the past, so I approached this book with high hopes. I am glad to state that Bertil Lintner lived up to my expectations.
Very few Indians know about the complex history of Northeast India or even try to understand anything about the region. Many people in other parts of India often refer to them by the derogatory term, 'Chinky.'
Bertil Lintner is part of a growing galaxy of writers telling us about this part of India, and even though the book is now dated, I recommend it to most people.
One of the book's best parts is the structure, a chapter dedicated to each troubled state – the Nagas, the Mizos, Manipur, and Assam, with chapters focusing on Bangladesh and the Indian Ocean. The excellent introduction creates a solid foundation for the book and establishes Bertil's credentials as a person qualified to write about Northeast India. His daughter was born in Nagaland, and therein lies the tale of an intrepid traveler, researcher, and writer.
I have traveled a bit in the Northeastern parts of India, starting at the height of the insurgency in the 1990s, and I did not understand the reason for the conflict. This book gives me a glimpse into the background of the rebellion against 'the Indian state,' the complicity of state and non-state actors in China, Myanmar, and Bangladesh.
He published the book about a decade back, so the material has become dated. The region has become more tranquil since then, but peace is always one stone's throw away from disintegration. I consider the book essential reading for every Indian citizen and those aspiring to seek a public policy career in the region. One of the book's best aspects is the balanced tone Bertil Lintner adopts: he does not judge or take sides. If you wish to understand Northeast India, this book is a good place to start.

[Jue Chhakchhuak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thorough and well researched, the book throws so many lights on the dark and grey area of the politics and virulent conflicts in the Northeast region of India. Although there are some instances of misconception on the part of the author of some of the cultural semiotics of some of the tribes, it nonetheless is an informative read with regards to the history, politics and the violent fall-out of such politics of the region (Northeast region of India).

[Rohit Reddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is based on comprehensive analysis of the situation in North East India and Burma. It covers the history, the root causes, the complexity very well. It is recommended for anyone wanting to understand India's North East.

[dr raman · Rating 4 out of 5]

great insight into the issues of North East India

[Gaurav Basera · Rating 5 out of 5]

awesome book if you want to read about the history of north east India and it's neighbours. an eye opener

[Ricardo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book!! It has allowed me to get a deeper understanding of the power dynamics between China, India and the US.

[Randhir · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I know the area fairly well, I particularly found the book fascinating. The Author knows the NE of India perhaps better than some of the natives and has covered its stress lines as well as the 'Great Game' being played between China and India. The Chinese have not budged from their stand with the results that the frontiers remain undelineated. Plenty of scope for mischief. India also happens to be one of the few countries in the world which has successfully resolved insurgencies, though fault lines remain. China though not giving material help remains sympathetic to some insurgent causes, while in Myanmar, the many ethnic minorities have come to some advantageous understanding with the state, much to the detriment of its control over them. The Author has traversed this area methodically and has even interviewed some of its principal actors. As it's clear the Game goes on. Worth keeping in ones library for reading and reference

[Sudeep · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for someone who wants to get an understanding of the dynamics of North Eastern India.

[Nitesh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative! Instances of Skewed opinions though.

[!Tæmbuŝu]

KOBOBOOKS

Reviewed by Asian Review of Books

[N · Rating 3 out of 5]

Encyclopedisk om etnisk uro i Nord-Øst India/Burma. Velskrevet, men så detaljert at det tidvis skygger for helheten i fremstillingen.

[Feroz Hameed · Rating 3 out of 5]

excellent book on North East frontier of India,Burma & China