This issue features an analysis of how China uses sharp power to promote national interests; Kautilya’s Arthashastra, strategic culture and grand strategic preferences; and India’s potential for defence diplomacy with Southeast Asia. Also included is a commentary on the emerging India-Indonesia comprehensive strategic partnership and five book reviews.

Contents

Editorial

Focus

From Smart Power to Sharp Power: How China Promotes her National Interests
— Mandip Singh

Kautilya’s Arthashastra: Indian Strategic Culture and Grand Strategic Preferences
— Kajari Kamal

India’s Defence Diplomacy with Southeast Asia: An Impetus to Act East
— Vignesh Ram

Commentary

Emerging India-Indonesia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
— Udai Bhanu Singh

Book Reviews

Mission Overseas: Daring Operations by the Indian Military, by Sushant Singh
— Ghanshyam Katoch
Army and Nation: The Military and Indian Democracy since Independence, by Steven I. Wilkinson
— Kartik Bommakanti
Indian Aircraft Industry: Possible Innovations for Success in the Twenty-First Century, by Vivek Kapur
— Kishore Kumar Khera
The Great Game in Afghanistan: Rajiv Gandhi, General Zia, and the Unending War, by Kallol Bhattacherjee
— N. Bahri
The Battlefields of Imphal: The Second World War and North East India, by Hemant Singh Katoch
— Y.M. Bammi