India and Southeast Asia in a Changing World: Exploring Relationship Prospects for a Sustainable Future

This book presents a comprehensive analysis of India’s relationship with the Southeast Asian nations in the context of the changing dynamics of international relations and the emergence of Indo-Pacific as the theatre of world politics. It covers a wide range of themes, from strategic to political, economic, diplomatic and security aspects, and assesses how India’s redefining of its role in world politics unfolds through its posture towards the Southeast Asian region.

The volume will be of great interest to scholars and researchers of Asian studies, both South Asian and Southeast Asian studies, and politics and international relations. It will also be useful for public policy analysts and think tanks and policymakers.

Shailza Singh’s area of specialization includes International Relations and Comparative Politics (special reference to India and the US). Her research interest primarily centers around security as a conceptual, policy and governance category, particularly, its relevance for the developing countries. The broad spectrum includes Security Studies in the Third World, Traditional and Non-Traditional Security in South Asia, Critical Security Studies in the post- colonial countries as well as Global International Relations with special reference to Urbanisation and Securitization. She has published in International Studies and Studies in Indian Politics, two prestigious political science and International Relations journals in India. She is also a member of editorial board of journal The Research Post published by The Bharati College, University of Delhi. Presently she is engaged in conducting research on Everyday (In) Securities among Urban Dwellers in India: Coping with Threats and Mitigation Strategies. She is also working on India and Non-Traditional Security in South and Southeast Asia. From the ongoing research she presented at the Annual Conference of International Studies Association (ISA) in Montreal, Canada in March 2023. She teaches courses on India’s Foreign Policy, International Relations and Global Politics and Peace and Conflict Resolution apart from being a member of the International Studies Association (ISA).

Philip Varghese is currently JSPS-UNU postdoctoral fellow. He is also a visiting researcher at Akita International University and United Nations University. In this role he works closely with the Biodiversity and Society (BDS) team at the UNU-IAS, Tokyo and his independent research looks at the intersections of Local Governance, Sustainability and Tourism. Prior to this he spent about 5 years teaching courses on Indian Government Politics, Global Politics, Comparative Politics, Social Movement and Development Process and International Relations in Delhi NCR at Christ University (July 2018- August 2020) and GD Goenka University (August 2020 - October 2023). While at Christ University, he was part of the project - India’s Neighborhood Policy towards the Southeast Asian Region: A Study on Act East Policy (INPSAR) funded by Hanns Seidel Stiftung, India. He holds a Ph.D. and M.Phil. degree in Political Science from the Centre for Political Studies (CPS), Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, M.A. in Political Science from Madras Christian College, Chennai and B.A. in Economics and Political Science from St. Stephen’s College, New Delhi. He is the corresponding editor for this book project.

Shalini Balaiah teaches International Relations at CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bannerghatta Road campus, Bangalore, India. Her research interests include Conflict and Security Issues, Foreign Policy, Geopolitics, Eurasia, West Asia and Indo-Pacific. She teaches courses on Foreign Policy, Terrorism and Counterterrorism, West Asia, Global Power Politics, Peace and Conflict Studies. She is currently working on a project- ’India’s Neighbourhood Policy towards the Southeast Asian Region: A Study on Act East Policy (INSPAR)’ funded by Hans Seidel Stiftung, India. She has completed her MA, M.Phil, Ph.D. in International Relations from School of International Studies (SIS) Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India and B.A in History Economics and Political Science from Mount Carmel College, Bangalore, Karnataka.

Sarish Sebastian teaches Political Science at CHRIST (Deemed to be university), Delhi NCR. He is also the Coordinator of Examinations at the NCR campus. He holds a Masters and Ph.D. in Political Science From the Department of Political Science, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India and Bachelor Degree from Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala.