This special issue of National Security is devoted to the theme “Turbulent Neighbourhood.” It captures some of the crucial developments in India’s immediate and extended periphery and the implications for India in the unsettled scenarios.

Academic Kingshuk Chatterjee in his lead article argues that “the overt manifestation of the shadow warfare” between Iran and Israel for many years now has clearly made its neighbourhood more dangerous than it was earlier. According to the author, the conflict in Gaza has pushed Tehran, as well as Tel Aviv, into a “bind”. Researcher Gulbin Sultana delves into the strategic and political developments in the Maldives. The author argues that while dealing with Male, India should be confident about its own strengths, and address concerns in the bilateral relations through engagement with all the Maldivian stakeholders. She also analyses the reasons behind the rise of “anti-India sentiment” in Maldives. Scholar Ashish Shukla writing on Pakistan reaches the discomforting conclusion that the incumbent government of Pakistan is too weak to deal with the multifaceted crisis in the country. He notes, if the situation persists, there can be adverse consequences for peace and stability in the region.

VIF Director, Arvind Gupta, reviews the book titled “Kathmandu Chronicle: Reclaiming India-Nepal Relations” by K.V. Rajan and Atul K. Thakur. He observes that despite the historical, social, cultural, and familial ties, Indo-Nepal relationship remains enigmatic. The reviewer draws attention to the insights into what should be done and what should be avoided in the bilateral relationship. Young scholar, Anchita Borthakur, reviews Ambassador Pinak Ranjan Chakravarty’s important account: “Transformation: Emergence of Bangladesh and Evolution of India-Bangladesh Ties”. The book reveals the nexus between the anti-India forces in Bangladesh and Pakistan, she observes. She underlines the author’s assertion that New Delhi’s policy towards Dhaka has remained consistently positive despite change in governments, and it is in its interest to continue to contribute to Bangladesh’s development in the future.

The journal also carries a review of the book “India’s Myanmar Maneuvers” by Tuhina Sarkar. The reviewer, Cchavi Vasisht, observes the author’s emphasis on Myanmar’s role as India’s viable overland ‘gateway’ to Southeast Asia and beyond, and her concern regarding Beijing’s growing influence in Myanmar and New Delhi’s continuing vulnerabilities across a porous border with the country.

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CONTENTS: Volume VII Issue II | April - June 2024

Editor’s Note

India’s Precarious Periphery | Sujit Dutta

Articles

Caught in a Bind: Iran in the Wake of the Gaza Conflict | Kingshuk Chatterjee

Domestic Politics and Foreign Policy of the Maldives: Implications for India | Gulbin Sultana

Enduring Political Unrest in Pakistan: Implications for India | Ashish Shukla

Book Reviews

Rebonding India and Nepal | Arvind Gupta

A Diplomat’s Insight into Evolving India-Bangladesh Relations | Anchita Borthakur

The Uneasy Gateway: India, Myanmar, and the Challenges of a Shifting Landscape | Cchavi Vasisht