Indian National Security

by Chris Ogden

India is a country of increasing domestic complexity and mounting international importance. As she rises to prominence, this Oxford India Short Introduction provides an invaluable introduction to both the internal and external aspects of her national security. In an increasingly interdependent and globalizing world, appreciating the interests and principles structuring India's national security has never been so important, in particular, how they relate to international security issues.

Moving away from a solely traditional focus upon borders, military power, internal stability, and protecting against invasion, national security now involves non-traditional tenets such as trade, energy, and environmental security. Importantly, it has also become more comprehensive, focusing upon critical infrastructure, food and water access, international diplomacy, and disaster and humanitarian relief, as well as recognizing the threat posed by non-state actors, especially from terrorism, piracy, and even transnational corporations. Embracing such a multifaceted analysis of national security not only serves to highlight the diverse challenges facing India but also stresses the impact that they will have on her current global rise.

190 pages, Unknown Binding

Published November 28, 2017

Reviews

[Navneet Bhushan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This short book on Indian National security has a final conclusion that is .. what net threats India can counter to its national security interests is constrained by what others allow India. with 10% of Indian territory under dispute it is indeed an issue. however the "paradox and parallax" coupled with "memory and imagination" create an " infinity of fear " in India. the book gives various lenses to view Indian national security - identity, history, etc. It doesn't glorify any particular aspect however it is critical of our national security focus and planning and in fact it ends up with Indian National Insecurity as the final point. One key message from the book, " At best, countries must balance achieving their national interests with some form of concession, which creates a more stable environment rather than exacerbating tensions. India's multi-pronged international diplomacy, especially her membership of different multilateral institutions that demand some loss of sovereignty, highlights the usefulness of such an attitude". In my personal view however Indian National Security requires Strategic Agility which need more bilateral-ism rather than multi-lateral-ism, as I describe in my article http://www.indiandefencereview.com/ne...


3 stars for reaching to conclusions. For not providing a solution or at least direction towards a solution I am taking off a star.

[Mohit Dhanjani · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the way this book is written.

Such complex topic written in simple and beautiful manner.
I am a novice to international relations and Indian national security topic.
The way Chris Ogden takes you from giving a high level overview of national security to some very specific details regarding the Indian context is very engaging.

A perfect book under the 'Oxford India Short Introductions' framework. A must read.