Developments in the outer space arena post the erstwhile USSR launching the first man-made satellite Sputnik in space on 4 October 1957 have transformed the world significantly. In order to ensure the exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes, the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) was set up by the United Nations General Assembly in 1959. Subsequently, this committee led to the foundation of the “Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies”. This treaty is commonly known as the Outer Space Treaty (OST). This treaty was opened for signature on January 27, 1967 as a binding legal instrument. On January 27, 2017, this treaty competes 50 years. Over the years this treaty has largely ensured responsible conduct of space activities. This book attempts to examine and contextualize the treaty and its relevance in the 21stcentury while tracing its journey over the last fifty years.

This book is an in-depth study conducted about Afghanistan, Pakistan and India, examining the past and the current (increasingly) deteriorating political, security and economic situation. Among various facts that unfold during the course of this work, what comes to light is that, at times, the out-dated and miscalculated policies of the governments, especially those of Pakistan, have played a major role in the current disharmonious situation; that the authorities seem to be oblivious of the great potential and common opportunities/challenges that exist, if only the above-mentioned countries join hands to work in rhythm and harmony towards achieving peace and prosperity rather than tearing each other, and themselves, apart. “To be ignorant of what occurred before you were born is to remain perpetually a child. For what is the worth of a human life unless it is woven into the life of our ancestors by the records of history?”(Marcus).

In the course of our long history that goes back thousands of years, our region has witnessed a great past, founded by the great sons and daughters of this land. Their all-knowing vision, philosophy and thinking are still, and will remain relevant for this and other generations to come. They have left behind a legacy of great culture, tradition and values. Philosophically, Sayed Jamalludin Afghani, Alama Iqbal and Swami Vivekananda are examples, among many, who have added immense knowledge and innovation to our world. Economically, the 3,000km-long Great Trunk Road (known as the GT Road) pioneered by an Afghan Emperor Sher Shah Suri in 16th century, which links India, Pakistan and Afghanistan, is a shining example of our wisdom and potential for collective prosperity. Therefore, as a guiding principle, we must strive towards reviving and retaining the glory, which was once a way of life for us all.

The US strike at Abbottabad which resulted in the elimination of Osama bin Laden is a turning point in the war of terror that began post 9/11. It is also a pebble in the pond whose ripples were felt across nations. The relationship of Pakistan and the US were strained to a large extent thanks to the US keeping the Pakistan forces out of the loop about the strike at the compound in which Osama bin Laden was killed. 

The presented work is an academic work of labour and untrammeled fun which zeroes in upon a perpetual theme in International Relations which amounts to the definition and the legality or the illegality of the American interventions in nations since the US Spanish war in 1890 till Syria, one of the biggest humanitarian disasters mankind has ever seen. The work refers to the International law dictum of just Cause and Preemption which has become a cornerstone of a strategy for the advancement of American national interest along with the homeland security aspect in the United States of America. The Book is the first of its kind from an Indian author premised upon a stout defense of the American war efforts and humanitarian strivings to sustain world security.

Since 1947, the Government of India has been curiously disinclined to dislodge itself from a Rip Van Winkle approach to the Andaman & Nicobar Islands that lie in the Bay of Bengal. The vast geographical spread of the archipelagos across 700 kms can be understood only when we consider that approximately about 20 km separate Myanmar`s Coco Island from Landfall, the northern most island in the Andaman archipelagos, while Indira Point at the tip of Great Nicobar, the southern most island in the Nicobar archipelagos, lies about 80 km from the tip of Sumatra in Indonesia. This is not a commonly known fact among Indians. The ignorance about the islands is endemic and may be the cause for the current policy of `masterly inactivity and benign neglect` of these high value national assets of immense untapped strategic, commercial and geopolitical potential. In this context, the author draws attention to the policy adopted by the country in the fifties to Arunachal Pradesh, erstwhile North-East Frontier Agency(NEFA) when it was decided to administer the tribal region by creating a specialized Agency out of a portion of the state of Assam, which has led to good results politically. In this book the author analyses strategic challenges facing the country as we enter into the second decade of the 21st century. The issues of `Malacca Dilemma` for China and India`s advantage as well as the issues of South China Sea, Naval Diplomacy and India`s Look East Policy have been discussed. Further, India`s settled maritime borders with its neighbours in this region is yet another great advantage. The author argues that a government at the Centre which perpetuates the existing policy, would be wilfully tying one arm behind its back, before going forth to meet national security challenges. The indifference towards tapping the strategic potential of the islands is not in national interest. The facts and circumstances in the book make clear that, going forward in the 21st century, a continuation of shutting out the islands through a government policy of `masterly inactivity and benign neglect` as the preferred strategy instrument to keep the islands safe from inimical and anti-national elements, would be contrary to national interest and security. On the other hand, leveraging these assets as proposed would give the country a position of strength on issues of security. Finally, the author argues that though the islands are an environmentally sensitive region, its strategic importance in the present day context for India cannot be diminished. The book offers suggestions about ways in which India can leverage the geographical location of the islands, especially the Great Nicobar Island at the western entrance of the Straits of Malacca, to tap the potential of the islands to meet India`s commercial and security challenges without sacrificing the environmental concerns.