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Through ages, nations survival is the most important aspect of security. The pertinent question is how nation manages the different elements of security rationally. Otherwise, if not managed properly it might lead to war. War is deeply related to human, social, political, economic, military aspects of nations survival. In other words, it encompasses internal and international security. Today, after the second world war major powers (nuclear powers) have avoided war by developing the theories of deterrence, collective security, detente, balance of power, disarmament and arms control and so on. Against this background, how does one explains Indian national security? The task is not an easy one. It is easy to describe Indias conflictual engagement with its neighbours. Napoleon once said that the foreign policy of a country flows from its geographic position. In case of India, its geography has been both a curse and a blessing. No doubt, Indias geo-strategic location is important to regional security. But in the past, we have seen Indias war with Pakistan and China, peace keeping debacle in Sri Lanka and the strained relations with Myanmar and Nepal. This is one dimension of Indias security. The other dimension is Indias position in international community. At international level, it is embedded in the policy of non-alignment as an instrument of foreign policys goal. Today, when the world has changed after the disintegration of the Soviet Union, Indias position has also been elevated and the external powers feel that India will play a dominant role in international politics. As a consequence, India has made considerable efforts to resume strategic partnership with all the major countries of the western world as well with ASEAN countries. Indias emphasis on Look East and Look West are aimed to improve the economic and strategic linkages with them. This has been possible due to the emergence of India as an economic power. Besides external dimension, there is another aspect of Indias national security i.e., internal security. Today, India is facing the problem of insurgency in the North East and Jammu and Kashmir, terrorism nationwide, naxalism, corruption, deteriorating centre-state relations etc. It seems that these internal problems are determined to erode the countrys power structure. As a result, the common man suffers. People want peace, particularly the growing lower middle class who still believe in traditional values. Inspite of this, their working pattern has changed drastically. It has led to the development of structural violence that has hampered the development of country. With this aim, the book on Indias National Security in 21st century has been written. It has been divided into two sections: (1) external dimension and (2) internal dimension. The book will, no doubt, add to the growing debate about Indias rightful place in world community in the coming years.ISBN - 9788182747395
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Pages : 544
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