India’S Near East: A New History by Avinash Paliwal in Paperback

India’s near east is known for its geo-economic connectivity and the ‘Act East’ policy, illustrating its importance in the country’s rivalry with China, which dates back to the 1962 war. However, it also plays a significant role in shaping the perception of India. The region is deeply divided by communal and class violence, leading to the emergence of extreme religious and ethnic nationalisms as well as communist movements. Despite the Indian state’s attempts to maintain regional dominance, such extremes have only worsened. Avinash Paliwal’s book provides a fresh perspective on India’s eastward diplomacy and statecraft, highlighting the challenges posed by separatist movements within the country’s northeastern states and competition with Beijing and Islamabad in Myanmar and Bangladesh. Ultimately, it reveals a harsh reality: India prioritizes political stability over economic opportunities in its near east. Paliwal's narrative of India's struggles with war, displacement, and interventionism exposes the limitations of the country's influence in this region.