VIJ Books – serie

The book has been written by an insider who has done detailed research on the history and culture of the North Eastern States of India which are so diverse and sometimes difficult to understand. The author has given detailed account of the diversities of each state separately and covered all aspects. This book can make an interesting reading for those not very familiar with the states and their peculiar culture.

The book is based on the USI National Security Seminar with contributions from some of the well known experts on China from India & abroad.

There is not much research done on the socio-legal aspects related to the Armed Forces in India. The author in this book has given detailed analysis on some of the legal issues of concern to the Armed Forces of India. The book is a compilation of the presentations made by the author at various forums including USI, academic institutions and Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence. The author in the book has touched upon issues related to Redress of Grievances, Armed Forces Tribunal Act, Laws on Weaponry, Command Responsibility in Armed Conflict, need for a Common Code for the Armed Forces, International Criminal Court, Human Rights and Armed Forces Special Powers Act. An important issue related to the Stress Management in the Armed Forces and discussed in the Parliament has also been discussed. The recommendations based on the presentation made to the Parliament Standing Committee on Defence has also been elaborated. The book is aimed at providing useful information about our military legal system to unit officers, formation commanders. Legal professionals and public in general.

The book "Integrated Force Projection by India" attempts to highlight the fact that a mere congregation of soldiers, sailors and airmen do not make a Regional Power. It emphasizes, without wandering on the fringes of any blustering rhetoric or puffery, that the proverbial 'synergy' is, in fact, ab elemental imperative for force projection and therefore merits greater integration of defence forces with various ministries for an effective, frictionless and well modulated Force Projection System for the country.

This book tries to fill the gap where China's Asia-Pacific Strategy is looked at and trend lines are traced on China's strategy and its implications for the region. It seeks to see how China looks at the medley of relations in the Asia-Pacific. One of the central ideas guiding this research is that it is unhelpful to see China's rise in twin binary dispositions, viz., China as belligerent or China as benevolent.

In spite of the UN Convention, riparian nations pitch their respective claims and counterclaims based on their interest and interpretation. Water as an instrument and tool of bargain and trade-off will assume predominance because the political stakes are high. The book attempts to analyse the water relations and the existing problems due to some of the ongoing projects.

Development policy of the European Union (EU) is just not confined to the development assistance programme dedicated purely for philanthropic purposes but has wider dimensions attached to it; It is one of the most imperative instrument of the European foreign policy and determines its relationship with the developing countries. This implies equally to the EUSouth Asia engagements, which evolved to third generation relationship from simple first generation commercial cooperation agreements. For analysing contemporary linkages of the EU with different South Asian countries, it is crucial to comprehend the role of development policy in South Asia. This book not only focuses on the development policy but also an effort is made to evaluate its relevance, impact and implications. As it is said 'To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive and the true success is to labour'. This book is also an outcome of 4/5 years of intense research on the subject. It will help the students of European studies since there is not enough literature available on the subject. It is a good reader for policy makers dealing with the development policy of the European Union.This book is also useful for South Asians associated with Non-government Organisations (NGOs) and voluntary groups, which are working in collaboration with the European Union.

Neglect of socio- economic needs, inequality and injustice in Nepali society attributed to the genesis of the Maoist insurgency in Nepal. In early 1990, a mass upsurge Jana Andolan paved way for multi party of governance in Nepal. The opening up of the polity increased the awareness of inequality which helped Maoist insurgency to grow dramatically. However, in November 2005, a Comprehensive Peace Agreement was reached between the Communist Party of Nepal (CPN-UML) and other main stream political parties. Monarchy was abolished. Election to the Constituent Assembly was held and a coalition government was been put in place. Inadequate steps to address the ethnic, economic and political aspirations of multi- ethnic groups have caused further unrest and created conditions for newer conflicts. Nepal shares border with India particularly with Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, there is free movement across the borders. This facilitates movement of mafia groups, drug trafficking and political activities. Control of cross border activities remains difficult and led to serious cross border implications.This volume is compilation of the eight papers presented at a workshop organized at Varnasi in June 2010 in collaboration with Malaviya Centre for Peace Research and the Centre for the Study of Nepal, Banaras Hindu University.

This book gives an up-to-date and comprehensive analysis of international humanitarian law or the laws of war. The author has traced the history of the laws of war and examined their relations with human rights and refugee laws. The topics covered include protection to the victims of war: prisoners, civilians, women, children, the natural environment and cultural property. The book contains an updated account of the functioning of the International Criminal Court, and explores the concept of command responsibility, as well as the area of private military and security companies. Besides discussing the law during air and naval warfare, the author has critically examined certain challenges which humanitarian law is facing today from cyber warfare; nuclear, phosphorous and depleted uranium weapons; the use of chemical agents; and targeted killing. This book is an invaluable resource for anyone interested or working in the field of international humanitarian law: teachers, students, lawyers, government officials, military and police personnel, researchers and human rights activists.

Central Asia has been considered as part of India's strategic neighbourhood; however India's engagement with Central Asia has been weak due to many contextual reasons. Earlier when the nascent Central Asian nations acquired their independent status after the demise of the Soviet Union India was preoccupied with its own economic problems. Discovery of hydrocarbons and minerals enhanced the strategic importance of Central Asian Republics. The secular polity of these nations also holds tremendous importance for India as the forces of radicalism and extremism especially those emanating from the Af-Pak belt would have adverse impact on the regional security. Major powers are also involved in Central Asia for securing their own interests. This volume looks at the strategic environment in Central Asia, the evolving security situation in Afghanistan that is of concern to Central Asian states as well as India, the non-traditional threats which are becoming more important than the conventional threats, the economic aspects of engagement with Central Asia, prospects of defence and security cooperation and the way forward.The contributors to the volume are well known experts, diplomats and strategic professionals who have looked at every aspect of India-central Asia engagement and have suggested a way forward.

Today, the whole world is watching China with great interest and that includes India. China has been termed - a threat, a challenge, an opportunity, a concern, a competitor, the next superpower, a global player and many more things. It depends, who is looking at it and from where? In 2009, United Service Institution (USI) of India decided to commence a five years study programme on China. Towards that end, we held the National Security Seminar 2009 titled 'Rising China - Opportunity or Strategic Challenge' on 25-26 November 2009. Its proceedings have been published in the form of a book.

Sri Lanka militarily defeated LTTE after two and a half decades long drawn out war which killed over 70,000 persons and left many more homeless. Though the war is over, the conflict will be far from being resolved unless its underlying political and constitutional complexities are addressed. Enormous mistrust has deepened between political, religious and ethnic groups. The implications of the perception of injustice to the Tamil minority have complicated the political situation in neighboring India and have led to anguish in many countries where Tamil Diaspora is concentrated. The indications are that the Sri Lankan Government is addressing these issues to resolve the conflict and ensure equity and justice to all its citizens. The conflict contains elements of economic, ethnic, political and use of state power. India's involvement in this conflict included military, economic and political initiatives. These factors offer a valuable case study with relevance to South Asian region.

The elimination of Osama Bin Laden was a remarkable success for American intelligence and Special Forces. To track down a rebel leader who had cut himself off from communications with the World and operated from an isolated compound in an affluent locality where none would really suspect his presence requires diligence, patience and perseverance of the highest order. The raid by US Special Operations Forces was also unique. Launched after careful preparation, using stealth helicopters, the deadly strike force known as the Seals swooped down on the target and in half an hour plus succeeded in achieving the mission and getting away, before local forces had even stirred. Will the World be a better place without Osama or will it sink to the doom that he had predicted continues to be a dilemma? There are many prognostications, some represent plain hope, others are borne out of historical experience while some spring from disparaging cynicism which see the ebb and flow of terrorism either receding or expanding as the years go on.This Book is an attempt to work through this maze of uncertainty by examining key vectors related to the rise and fall of Osama Bin Laden and the Al Qaeda to envisage four possible scenarios ranging from the collapse of the state order [seen as unlikely] to containment of terror threat [equally challenged] in three dimensions globally, regionally and locally over the next decade or so.

Counterinsurgency is a complex phenomenon that needs complex answer. Any attempt at reductionism can be an invitation to disaster. Though it is very much a form of warfare, and can fit into the description given by Jomini as wars of opinion or Clausewitzian wars of resistance. The research for the present book was carried out under the sponsorship of Gen D K Palit and Chatrapati Shivaji fellowship of the USI. This book is a cumulative result of over two decades of study of counterinsurgency and peace process by the author. The book encompasses the study of tribal insurgency in Northeast India, Kashmir, Sri Lanka, Communist or Naxalite revolt, South African uprising against Racist regime and troubles in Northern Ireland.

Political democracy in India has not been followed by economic democracy. This is not to deny the frowth that India has registered over the last 63 years, especially over the last two decades, India has been growing at rates fairly higher than the world average. From an economy impaired by an exploitative colonial past, India has emerged as a major economic power. In spite of this high economic growth rate, the issues of poverty, unemployement, malnourishment of children has not been adequately taken care of. These are some few details that the book discusses. This book is based on articles written by well known economists and covers all aspects of the Indian Economy.

Special Forces and Special Operations offer an option for providing an asymmetric response across the entire spectrum of conflict. An asymmetric response does not automatically imply a physical attack; in most cases, direct action should be only the extreme response. Special Forces are meant to achieve strategic objectives through application of modest resources in a calibrated manner. With an eye on the future, a seminar was held at CENJOWS which was aimed at examining various alternatives for optimal employment of Indian SF, in pursuit of national security goals with a proactive mindset. Various aspects were covered by eminent speakers from India and other countries. This book is based on the seminar proceedings.

This book is based on the proceedings of the National Security Seminar 2011 conducted at the USI from 17 to 18 Nov 2011. The views of eminent speakers from across the globe have been covered on the following themes:- * Strategic and Security Environment in the Asia Pacific Region * Existing Political and Economic Frameworks in the Asia Pacific: Have they fulfilled regional aspirations? * Bringing an Enduring Security Architecture for the Asia Pacific This book intends to examine the current state and possible future trajectory of efforts to create an Asia Pacific security architecture. The problems are challenging but not insurmountable. Efforts to build an appropriate security architecture would certainly be in the interest of the region.

The DPG was chosen as a research institution to assist in the deliberations of the International Commission on Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament, constituted by the Australian and Japanese governments. The support of the NTI to DPG's efforts has been immense and definitive. The first decade of 21st century has seen a resurgence of support for global nuclear disarmament. A cascade of nuclear disarmament proposal has emerged from different sources. India has consistently favored complete global nuclear disarmament, even as it laid the foundations of a nuclear energy programme. Notwithstanding the nuclear tests, Indian policy on global nuclear disarmament has not been disavowed. Global nuclear disarmament is closely linked to geo-political conditions. Unless such conditions are favourable, states are unlikely to take initiatives to either reduce or eliminate their nuclear weapons stockpiles. This book examines the geopolitical necessities which will encourage nuclear disarmament globally. It also contrasts them with the geopolitical realities currently prevailing which impact on nuclear disarmament.The papers in the book bring forth both the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead."

In the book "Comprehensive National Power - A Model for India" an attempt has been made to quantify and describe those attributes that most accurately portray India's capability to exert its national will. An effort has been made to access how various powers compared in this study could exert their national power to leverage the international environment to their national advantage. This study has been carried out in the backdrop of the rise and fall of countries and empires, and an assessment of the inbuilt longevity to power. This well researched book is a result of the project study allocated by Headquarters Army Training Command to the United Service Institution of India, New Delhi. This study is likely to be a foundational work for future studies on the subject. This would eventually lead to more awareness of the concept of Comprehensive National Power. As a result a national consensus is likely to emerge on the steps India would need to take to further hone its Comprehensive National Power in order to realise the national aspirations.

The disintegration of Soviet Union in 1991, led to five new countries gaining independence in Central Asia. The Muslims, a predominant majority in the region, had faced religious suppression under the rule of the communist. Thus, began an era where Islam was practiced with larger freedom. However, the governance of most of these states was with the autocratic leaders who had grown under the influence of communism. Therefore, it was but natural for them to soon impose religious restrictions. This close tussle in almost all these newly raised states, led to emergence of some radical groups. Over the years, the influence of such groups has spread to the extent of posing a threat to the stability of country like China. A foothold for radical groups in China is a possibility as its western province of Xinjiang has historical links with Central Asia and was part of Turkistan. Today Xinjiang due to its ethnic violence between the Uyghur Muslims and the Han Chinese is acknowledged to be quite volatile. The link of Uyghur's with Central Asia has further compounded China problem.Apart from the extremists, China is also concerned regarding the growing American presence within the region of Central Asia. To negate the American influence and restrain any turbulence on its western province supported by the extremist of Central Asia, there is a need for China to review its external and internal policies which will steer it towards a more politically and economically stable nation. Failing to addresses such simmering issues the nation will be trapped within the folds of 'THE INVISIBLE WALL OF CHINA'.