The theory of greater India is a threat not only to South Asian countries, but also the entire Indian Ocean region.

I always hail those who try to uncover India's hegemonic design and its notorious intelligence agency — RAW that ransacks the entire South Asian region to implement so-called ' India doctrine.'

The theory of greater India is a threat not only to South Asian countries, but also the entire Indian Ocean region. So M. B. I. Munshi's book deserves appreciation, as it will certainly awaken and alert the concerned policymakers of the region and beyond. The readers will get clear idea that the problems, including the secessionist ones, in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal are facing today were created and are nursed by India to implement its hegemonic designs.

Munshi accommodated 18 articles out of which credits of nine go to himself . The remaining nine articles are from contributors from Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka . It would have been better if he could accommodate some articles of Indian and Pakistani writers. That could weigh the merit of the book further.

The main theme of this book is Indian dream for greater and unified India , initially of the British India and later to bring those countries under Indian fold — from Afghanistan to Indonesia — that the Hindus believe were once under the empire of Rama or Ashoka. Inclusion of four contributors from Nepal and Sri Lanka and their concern for their respective countries are relevant to the theme of the book.

By attaching special interest in and more space to Bangladesh 's problems with India, the editor virtually uncovered this reality that Bangladesh is the most immediate and prime target of India. Indian policymakers feel that separate existence of Bangladesh is a serious threat to India. The Indian propagandists say that for India Bangladesh is more dangerous than Pakistan. For this reason Bangladesh tops the list of Indian hegemonic agenda. The socio-political violence that Bangladesh faces today is the creation of India to squeeze Bangladesh in every possible way. The board-bound 288-page book undoubtedly should be an eye-opener for the Bangladeshi policymakers and their counterparts in South Asian region and beyond.

The book on such issue should get better publicity and media coverage. The Bangladesh Research Forum undertook a praiseworthy initiative in publishing such a book on national and regional issues. This book will surely encourage others to come forward to uncover Indian designs against Bangladesh and other smaller countries. I wish the book gets proper appreciation and recognition.

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The India Doctrine
Edited by MBI Munshi ( mbimunshi@gmail.com )
Published by Bangladesh Research Forum
Dhaka July 2006
Pages: 288
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