Is India too defensive and tolerant when its core national security is threatened? Has it been a ‘soft state’ in responding to terrorist provocations from Pakistan and territorial encroachments from China? Does India lack a strategic culture of raising the costs of aggression by its two principal adversaries? The past record of the Indian state has been questioned on such grounds. But this changed during the prime ministership of Narendra Modi. Guided by a ‘security first’ vision and the doctrine of ‘offensive defense’, his government sought to alter the strategic calculus of India’s opponents by credibly demonstrating a willingness to use commensurate military force and apply diplomatic and economic pressure. Crunch Time: Narendra Modi’s National Security Crises gives a comprehensive analysis of how ‘new India’ conducted itself during episodes of major national security crises. It is a testament to how a strong-willed political leadership with mass social support can transform a country’s strategic culture and deter its foes.
Focusing on the global economic crisis following the Great Depression, this commentary presents a political scientist's perspective, emphasizing the need for increased state regulation of finance and greater governmental responsibility towards society. It advocates for radical social movements to champion economic justice, challenging conventional technocratic solutions and highlighting the necessity of systemic change in addressing economic disparities.
<b>About the Book </b> Since becoming India's prime minister in 2014, Narendra Modi has been a tour de force in foreign policymaking. A vastly experienced administrator who has held key public positions as chief minister of an Indian state for more than a decade and now as prime minister, he has always seen value in foreign affairs and devoted special attention to it with his unique entrepreneurial flair and coherent set of ideas. Every realm of Indian foreign policy commercial diplomacy, defence diplomacy, diaspora outreach, cultural diplomacy, geostrategy and soft power has been transformed by him with a sense of destiny not witnessed in recent memory. Indians and people the world over have noticed his star presence and are asking questions like 'Why is he investing so much time and energy into promoting India’s international relations and global image?' 'What are his vision and goals for India’s role in the world’?' 'What kind of distinct techniques define his approach to foreign policy?' 'How is he changing India’s self-understanding and preparing it for world affairs?' This book provides the answers by delving into the mind and method behind Narendra Modi's avatar as India's diplomat-in-chief. It argues that under his able watch, India is heading toward great power status in the international order. <b>About the Author</b> Sreeram Chaulia is Professor and Dean at the Jindal School of International Affairs, O.P. Jindal Global University, in Sonipat, India. He is an eclectic political scientist specialising in both international security and international political economy. He is a contributing editor of People Who Influenced the World (Murray Books, Adelaide, 2005) and the sole author of International Organizations and Civilian Protection: Power, Ideas and Humanitarian Aid in Conflict Zones (I.B. Tauris, London, 2011) and of Politics of the Global Economic Crisis: Regulation, Responsibility and Radicalism (Routledge, New Delhi, London and New York, 2013). He received education from St. Stephen's College, Delhi University; University College, Oxford University; The London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London and the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Syracuse University. He is a leading opinion columnist for Indian newspapers- the Economic Times and the Asian Age- on world affairs and a commentator on international current issues on radio and television in India and abroad. He has worked as an international civilian peacekeeper in the warzones of Sri Lanka and the Philippines.
