ABOUT THE BOOK

The emerging trends of terrorism in Asia have in the recent past challenged the conventional wisdom that dictated and defined violence by non-state actors. This, as the chapters in this volume suggest, is illustrated by its distinct characteristics, forcing the world at large to grapple with these threats, including volunteers from countries that had remained isolated from the contagion until now.

Various facets of the challenge from the Islamic State (IS) and the unfolding contours of terrorism in Asia, have been analysed and written about in the past. Most of the perspectives have, however, been Western, with a sprinkling of Asian views. The present volume is a modest attempt to join the discourse on Asian terrorism from an Indian perspective. It is hoped that these essays will enliven and enrich the debate on the challenge of terrorism in Asia that is increasingly threatening peace and stability as well as values and ideals.

The volume has been organised in four sections. The first deals with the ideological and technological aspects as well as the funding, communication and weapons of the IS and other terror groupings. The remaining three sections focus on West and Central Asia, South Asia, as well as China and Southeast Asia.

ABOUT Author

For nearly forty years, Professor S.D Muni taught, conducted and supervised research, in international relations and South Asian Studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University (1974-2006), National University of Singapore (2008-2013), Banaras Hindu University (1985-86), and University of Rajasthan (1972-73). At Jawaharlal Nehru University he held the prestigious Appadorai Chair of International Politics and Area Studies. Prof. Muni also served as India`s Special Envoy on UNSC Reforms (2005) and Ambassador in Lao People`s Democratic Republic (1997-99). In 2005 he was bestowed with `Sri Lanka Ratna`, Sri Lanka`s highest honour for a foreign national. In October 2014, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from Tirupati University. He was invited to address the UN Special Committee on Indian Ocean as a Zone of Peace in 1985. Author and editor of 25 books and monographs and more than 150 research papers, Prof. Muni has travelled extensively. He has been sitting on the selection committees for Vice Chancellors and faculty members for different Indian universities. He is Professor Emeritus, Jawaharlal Nehru University since 2014 and Distinguished Fellow, IDSA.

Colonel Vivek Chadha (Retd) served in the army for over 22 years before joining IDSA in 2011, as a Research Fellow. His areas of research include defence studies, counter insurgency and terrorism finance. His published books include, Lifeblood of Terrorism: Countering Terrorism Finance, Low Intensity Conflicts in India: An Analysis and Indo-US Relations: Divergence to Convergence. He has also edited, Armed Forces Special Powers Act: The Debate. He is on the editorial board of the Journal of Defence Studies.