Superpower Rivalry in the Indian Ocean: Indian and American Perspectives

by Selig S. Harrison, K. Subrahmanyam

Overview

(Note for Jacket—see Marketing File-so/10/26]The vast, politically turbulent region encompassing the Indian Ocean, the Persian Gulf, forty-two littoral states, and one third of the world's population is one of the most potentially explosive theaters of superpower rivalry. In this study, three American and three Indian authors, reflecting different perspectives and areas of expertise, examine the principal factors that have led to the escalation of superpower tensions in the region: the war in Afghanistan, and its spillover into the Afghanistan-Pakistani borderlands; the Indo-Pakistani nuclear arms race; ethnic tensions in Sri Lanka; the Iran-Iraq war; Islamic fundamentalism; and the rapidly growing military presence of the superpowers in the area. Considering how India's emergence as a military power is influencing superpower and indigenous tensions in the region, the contributors compare Indian, American, and Soviet interests, and offer solutions for current Indian-American disagreements.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780195054972
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	05/04/1989
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	320
Product dimensions:	6.31(w) x 9.50(h) x 1.18(d)

About the Author

Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Institute of Studies and Analyses, New Delhi

Editorial Reviews

"Worth reading for security and economic issues in the large, heavily populated and volatile region of the Indian Ocean remain unresolved and potentially disruptive."—Pacific Affairs

"A unique and comprehensive analysis of problems and issues within the Indian Ocean region....Should be a standard substantive reference work for the region."—Choice

"A stimulating and provocative collection of essays about the strategic dilemmas confronting the world's two largest democracies as they struggle to improve their relations in the troubled Indian Ocean area."—Geoffrey Kemp, former Senior Director for the Near East and South Asia, National Security Council

"A unique collection by American and Indian specialists on Indian Ocean security issues. These papers eliminate contrasting and contradictory national perspectives and should be must reading for anyone concerned about Indian Ocean (Gulf) security questions."—Howard Wriggins, Columbia University

"Remarkable in two respects. First, it provides a wealth of information about the strategic situation in the Indian Ocean, in a series of carefully-researched and clearly written papers. Second, it presents what is in effect a dialogue between knowledgeable Indians and Americans on these controversial subjects from very different perspectives but in a constructive and mutually respectful tone. Both of these developments are as exceptional as they are desirable. This book is required reading for anyone who wants to understand the strategic equation among superpowers and littoral states in the Indian Ocean."—Gary Sick

From the Publisher