About this book:

In *Negotiating Borders: India's Foreign Policy in the Indo-Pacific Age*, the complex transformation of India’s strategic posture is meticulously analyzed as the nation navigates the twentieth-first century’s most dynamic geopolitical theatre. Moving beyond its historical roots of non-alignment, the book explores India’s modern embrace of "multi-alignment" and "strategic autonomy." It provides a comprehensive examination of key policy frameworks—such as the Act East Policy, the SAGAR vision, and the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative—that signal India's intent to serve as a net security provider and a stabilizing force across the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

The text offers a deep dive into India’s critical bilateral and multilateral relationships, detailing its role within the Quad and its strategic partnerships with the United States, Japan, Australia, France, and ASEAN. It provides a clear-eyed assessment of the challenges posed by a rising China, addressing both the volatile land borders and the intensifying maritime competition. Beyond traditional hard power, the book evaluates India’s efforts in maritime domain awareness, infrastructure connectivity, and its role as a first responder to non-traditional threats like climate change and piracy.

Blending historical context with forward-looking scenario planning, *Negotiating Borders* serves as an essential guide for understanding how India seeks to balance its own sovereignty with the necessity of deep alliances. The book concludes with actionable policy recommendations, outlining a roadmap for India to assert itself as a leading power capable of shaping a free, open, and rules-based regional order. It is an indispensable resource for policymakers, analysts, and anyone seeking to understand the shifting currents of global power in the Indo-Pacific.

What You'll Find Inside:

• Analysis of India's strategic shift from traditional non-alignment to a proactive 'multi-alignment' posture to navigate great power rivalries.
• Examination of key maritime frameworks, including the SAGAR vision, the Act East Policy, and the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI).
• Deep dives into critical bilateral and multilateral partnerships, specifically focusing on the Quad, the US-India partnership, and ties with Japan, Australia, and ASEAN.
• Evaluation of India’s naval modernization efforts and the push for 'Aatma Nirbharta' (self-reliance) in defense manufacturing and maritime domain awareness.
• Strategic assessment of the India-China dynamic, covering border tensions, maritime competition in the Indian Ocean, and counterbalancing strategies.

Who's It For:

This book is primarily intended for policymakers, strategic analysts, and scholars of international relations specializing in South Asian and Indo-Pacific geopolitics. It is also an essential resource for military professionals and students seeking a comprehensive understanding of India’s evolving role as a net security provider in the maritime domain. Anyone interested in the intersection of trade diplomacy, naval strategy, and regional power dynamics will find this analysis invaluable.