The Futures of Borders and Geopolitics in South Asia

"This is a fascinating study of the durability as well as the porousness of borders across the post-colonial states of South Asia. Each of the case studies in this volume is well-researched, imaginative, and insightful. Also, the sheer range of topics covered in this volume is most impressive." --Sumit Ganguly, Distinguished Research Fellow, the Hoover Institution, Stanford University, United States This book is compelling because it has a triple aim. First, it seeks to strengthen a regional epistemic community in South Asia, one of the least integrated regions in the world in terms of political, economic, and scholarly cooperation. Second, it advocates a focus on border perspectives to overcome the limitations of state-centred approaches in geopolitics and international relations. And third, it offers ideas for constructive policy dialogues across these fractured lands. Bringing together cases from six South Asian countries (a rare feat), it initiates an urgently needed conversation about more hopeful South Asian futures. --Willem van Schendel, University of Amsterdam, Netherlands This book offers a theory-driven and evidence-based approach to the study of South Asian borders and geopolitics. In the book, readers will be particularly interested to see the multiple meanings of borders and territoriality and their effects on border communities. The analyses found within chapters show how the statist and territorialist definitions of border and geopolitics have given way to the rise of liberal, humane, and gendered definitions of borders and geopolitics. Individual chapters in this volume employ a wide variety of qualitative research methods, with some adopting a mixed method approach by combining quantitative and qualitative data. The book would be a useful reference to academics and practitioners with a regional interest in South Asia. Amena Mohsin is Professor of International Relations at the University of Dhaka. ASM Ali Ashraf is Professor of International Relations at the University of Dhaka. Niloy Ranjan Biswas is Professor of International Relations at the University of Dhaka. Mohammad Atique Rahman is Associate Professor of International Relations at the University of Dhaka.