India's new regionalism in South Asia

Abstract

Regionalism is basically a dynamic phenomenon involving macro-regions, sub-regions and micro-regions. The end of the Cold War triggered new regionalisms which are perceived as multifaceted and multidimensional, involving institutions, partnerships and social capital. Regions are being perceived associal constructs that are fluid, porous and heterogeneous. To fathom this, the changing international context and world order creates new incentives and spaces for regional and sub-regional cooperation. We are now entering a new wave of regional mixes with a variety of permutations and combinations, risks and opportunities. India is today a member of a variety of regional and sub-regional groupings. The power dynamics and interest perspectives of the regional, sub-regional and extra-regional actors are critically important in South Asia and beyond. Even the narratives of India’s new regionalism in South Asia cannot be fully grasped without looking at its commercial, economic and strategic orientations. The chapter addresses the challenges and opportunities facing India’s changing approach to regionalism in South Asia. This also has to do with the geo-political and geo-economic concerns. South Asian regionalism truly presents a variety of conundrums and possibilities.