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This is the foreword written by Abu Rushd for The India Doctrine (1947 - 2007) -
FOREWORD
By ABU RUSHD
The twelve chapters written in this wonderful book by Barrister MBI Munshi covers in this second edition the relations between India and its neighbours in the South Asia region from 1947 to 2007. In a significant advance over the first edition the author discusses in great depth not only India's relations with Bangladesh but also Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Nepal.
In this second edition he has given a detail picture of details important events during the last 60 year period from a strategic, intelligence, military, political and economic perspective which are unique in its depth and range of analysis and includes thousands of references and source materials. In particular, the author has provided a broad survey of events during the critical period in South Asian history between the years 2006 and 2007. During these brief two years the situation in Sri Lanka deteriorated dramatically bringing the nation again to civil war through renewed conflict with the LTTE while to the north the Nepalese King was dethroned and new elections called , eventually bringing the Maoists to power after a lengthy and bloody decade long struggle. Similarly, in Pakistan there were violent upheavals in its border areas with Afghanistan and a growing insurgency in Balochistan. Bangladesh also witnessed increased instability in the lead up to its 2007 elections that were finally cancelled and an emergency proclaimed by the president on January 11 of that year.
The author discusses all these events in minute detail and provides extensive evidence of Indian interference in all these countries, both diplomatic and political, but also through its infamous and much reviled external intelligence agency- the Research & Analysis Wing or RAW. India's purpose and objective in destabilising and interfering in the internal affairs of neighbouring countries are aimed at achieving regional supremacy with the ultimate goal being the creation of an Akhand Bharat or greater India stretching across South Asia. As the author clarifies, this does not necessarily mean territorial annexation or direct military intervention (although both have been adopted in the recent past such as in Sikkim and Sri Lanka) but can include political, diplomatic and economic control over its neighbours that does not require direct military intervention or possession of territory. The author discusses all these issues and factors against the backdrop of superpower rivalries involving the United States and China but also other international interests including that of the European Union, Britain, Russia and Isreal.
The first edition was a turning point in political and historical writing in Bangladesh. The second edition continues this trend with further elaboration of issues that were covered in the earlier book but on very recent events such as the causes behind the cancellation of elections in 2007 and new material on the 1971 liberation war and India's motivations in assisting emergent Bangladesh. Having extensively researched and written several series of investigative reports and a book on RAW and Indian interefererence in Bangladesh, I was particularly interested in the chapters on the CHT (which have been updated to include incidents upto 2007) as well as on the border disputes that have often led to tension beween the countries as occurred in 2001 after an incursion by the BSF which left 19 of their members dead and 3 BDR personnel killed.
The book also includes in-depth discussion on the nuclear deal between the US and India and on how this agreement will affect the regional balance. The author spends a great deal of time on the propaganda machinery of the Indian government and also on the inner workings of RAW which has been my area of speciality and study for several decades. On the other hand, the writer has correctly assessed and analysed the situation prevailing in Pakistan. Strategic factors influencing the superpower brawls is rightly outlined in the book.
The book is certainly a must read for those interested in South Asian affairs, geo-strategy, intelligence, and the political, diplomatic and economic influences of an increasingly important region of the world which contains almost a sixth of the worlds population, two nuclear powers and several more in the near vicinity. The book will hopefully inspire others to explore the subject of Indian hegemony and expansionism and also allow policy-makers in the West to better comprehend the risks of permitting an unrestrained India to dominate the region. The book should also educate the policy-makers and military planners in Bangladesh about possible threats emanating from our neigbour and the consequences of New Delhi's influence in our internal affairs as well as the principal cause of instability.
Abu Rushd
Editor
Bangladesh Defence Journal
FOREWORD
By ABU RUSHD
The twelve chapters written in this wonderful book by Barrister MBI Munshi covers in this second edition the relations between India and its neighbours in the South Asia region from 1947 to 2007. In a significant advance over the first edition the author discusses in great depth not only India's relations with Bangladesh but also Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Nepal.
In this second edition he has given a detail picture of details important events during the last 60 year period from a strategic, intelligence, military, political and economic perspective which are unique in its depth and range of analysis and includes thousands of references and source materials. In particular, the author has provided a broad survey of events during the critical period in South Asian history between the years 2006 and 2007. During these brief two years the situation in Sri Lanka deteriorated dramatically bringing the nation again to civil war through renewed conflict with the LTTE while to the north the Nepalese King was dethroned and new elections called , eventually bringing the Maoists to power after a lengthy and bloody decade long struggle. Similarly, in Pakistan there were violent upheavals in its border areas with Afghanistan and a growing insurgency in Balochistan. Bangladesh also witnessed increased instability in the lead up to its 2007 elections that were finally cancelled and an emergency proclaimed by the president on January 11 of that year.
The author discusses all these events in minute detail and provides extensive evidence of Indian interference in all these countries, both diplomatic and political, but also through its infamous and much reviled external intelligence agency- the Research & Analysis Wing or RAW. India's purpose and objective in destabilising and interfering in the internal affairs of neighbouring countries are aimed at achieving regional supremacy with the ultimate goal being the creation of an Akhand Bharat or greater India stretching across South Asia. As the author clarifies, this does not necessarily mean territorial annexation or direct military intervention (although both have been adopted in the recent past such as in Sikkim and Sri Lanka) but can include political, diplomatic and economic control over its neighbours that does not require direct military intervention or possession of territory. The author discusses all these issues and factors against the backdrop of superpower rivalries involving the United States and China but also other international interests including that of the European Union, Britain, Russia and Isreal.
The first edition was a turning point in political and historical writing in Bangladesh. The second edition continues this trend with further elaboration of issues that were covered in the earlier book but on very recent events such as the causes behind the cancellation of elections in 2007 and new material on the 1971 liberation war and India's motivations in assisting emergent Bangladesh. Having extensively researched and written several series of investigative reports and a book on RAW and Indian interefererence in Bangladesh, I was particularly interested in the chapters on the CHT (which have been updated to include incidents upto 2007) as well as on the border disputes that have often led to tension beween the countries as occurred in 2001 after an incursion by the BSF which left 19 of their members dead and 3 BDR personnel killed.
The book also includes in-depth discussion on the nuclear deal between the US and India and on how this agreement will affect the regional balance. The author spends a great deal of time on the propaganda machinery of the Indian government and also on the inner workings of RAW which has been my area of speciality and study for several decades. On the other hand, the writer has correctly assessed and analysed the situation prevailing in Pakistan. Strategic factors influencing the superpower brawls is rightly outlined in the book.
The book is certainly a must read for those interested in South Asian affairs, geo-strategy, intelligence, and the political, diplomatic and economic influences of an increasingly important region of the world which contains almost a sixth of the worlds population, two nuclear powers and several more in the near vicinity. The book will hopefully inspire others to explore the subject of Indian hegemony and expansionism and also allow policy-makers in the West to better comprehend the risks of permitting an unrestrained India to dominate the region. The book should also educate the policy-makers and military planners in Bangladesh about possible threats emanating from our neigbour and the consequences of New Delhi's influence in our internal affairs as well as the principal cause of instability.
Abu Rushd
Editor
Bangladesh Defence Journal
