South Asia is one of the most volatile regions of the world, and India s complex
democratic political system impinges on its relations with its South Asian
neighbours. Focusing on this relationship, this book explores the extent to
which domestic politics affect a country s foreign policy.
The book argues that particular continuities and disjunctures in Indian foreign
policy are linked to the way in which Indian elites articulated Indian identity
in response to the needs of domestic politics. The manner in which these state
elites conceive India s region and regional role depends on their need to stay
in tune with domestic identity politics. Such