ABSTRACT

This handbook presents an authoritative overview of South Asia through the lens of geopolitics, political dynamics, economics, human security, and sustainable development. It brings together key insights from various disciplines to provide an in-depth understanding of the genesis, course, and future potential of South Asia as a region.

The handbook:

  • Explores the post-colonial political landscape of India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Nepal, Bhutan and Afghanistan and analyses the challenges to political stability and governance in South Asia
  • Studies the opportunities and challenges produced by globalization and recommends solutions towards greater connectivity and trade in South Asia
  • Delves into the issues of climate change, water and land resource dependency, and energy security and singles out policy challenges as well as positive actions to promote sustainable development and implement the blue economy
  • Discusses the political dynamics of regional cooperation between countries and the role of China in South Asian regional affairs

An invaluable addition to the study of South Asia, this volume will be an indispensable resource for scholars, teachers and researchers of political science, international relations, South Asia studies, South Asian politics, history, defence and strategic studies, political economy, developmental studies, public policy and sustainability studies.

chapter |13 pages

Introduction

part 1|32 pages

South Asia as a Region

chapter 2|16 pages

South Asian Identity

Examining the State-Society Interface

part 2|111 pages

Political, Social and Security Systems in South Asia

chapter 3|16 pages

Politics of Democracy in South Asia

People's Aspiration and the Structure of the State

chapter 4|13 pages

Transition of Monarchy in South Asia

The Case of Nepal

chapter 5|18 pages

Transitions in Governance

Polity, Policy, and Regionalism in South Asia

chapter 6|14 pages

Civil Society in South Asia

Plurality, Convergence and Paradoxes

chapter 7|21 pages

Religion and Politics in South Asia

Select Case Studies

chapter 8|16 pages

Lilliputians' Dilemma

Survival Strategies of Small States in South Asia

part 3|84 pages

Commerce and Connectivity in South Asia

chapter 11|22 pages

Prospects of Growth Dynamism in South Asia

Trade and Investment as Drivers of Regional Development

chapter 12|15 pages

A Novel Approach for Integration in South Asia

Through Trade Promotion and Economic Corridors

chapter 13|14 pages

Connectivity Across South Asia

Possibilities and Intrinsic Challenges

part 4|65 pages

Human Security in South Asia

chapter 15|18 pages

Climate Change and River Waters in South Asia

Scarcity, Security and the Avoidance of Zero-Sum Approaches in the Anthropocene Epoch

chapter 16|13 pages

Governing Water Resources in India

Role of Water Law, Policy, and Institutions

part 5|82 pages

South Asia in a Multipolar World

chapter 19|15 pages

A Sub-Regional Resuscitation in South Asia

Enlivening the BIMSTEC

chapter 22|11 pages

China in South Asia

The Xi Jinping Era

chapter 23|15 pages

United States–South Asia Relations

Challenges and Opportunities Facing the Biden Administration