South Asia in World Politics

When colonialism collapsed in the wake of World War II, South Asia was seen as the leader in the development of what was called the Third World. In recent years, however, the region has not received the scholarly attention that it deserves. This first-rate symposium of scholars and former government officials goes far toward filling the gap by focusing on the international relations (and domestic developments, where relevant) of the South Asian states. Although the clashes over Kashmir and the war that produced Bangladesh are duly analyzed, the authors also give significant attention to the politics of Nepal, Bhutan, and Afghanistan and to the sea states of Sri Lanka and the Maldives. The initial chapters begin by surveying the foreign policies of individual states and are followed by examinations of specific issue areas, including nuclear developments, ethnic conflicts, religion and politics, democratization, and the effects of globalization and economic liberalization. The book also contains an excellent chronology, running from 1858 and the start of direct British rule to the complex developments of the 1990s.