Arijit Mazumdar
Biographic Data
| ID | 173464 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Arijit Mazumdar |
| GIVEN NAMES | Arijit |
| FAMILY NAME | Mazumdar |
| SIGNATURE | MAZUMDAR A |
| AFFILIATIONS | Department of Geography and GIS University of Illinois at Urbana‐Champaign Champaign Illinois USA |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-4818-5628 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 13 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 46 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 13 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2005 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 4 |
From Soft Power to Strategic Denial: Cricket and Coercive Diplomacy in India–pakistan Relations
This article reconsiders sport’s role in diplomacy by examining how cricket functions as a source of coercive leverage in contemporary India–Pakistan relations. While much scholarship views sport as soft power or a confidence-building mechanism, India has, since 2012, refused to resume bilateral cricket with Pakistan, while multilateral tournament arrangements have increasingly adapted to preserve its participation. The article argues that India’…
Trust in the Platform City: Negotiating respectability and information asymmetry on Taxi Platforms in Delhi
Unequal taxi geographies: Antagonisms in platform-driven urban restructuring in Delhi, India
This article considers how the relationship of everyday spatial practices of digital on-demand, ride-hailing taxi drivers and social imaginaries of urban restructuring remain imbricated in class and religious antagonisms. Through an ethnographic investigation of the intimate neighborhood geographies of exclusion that govern platform work in Delhi, this article provides a richer understanding of how platform urbanism is undergirded by heterogeneou…
Encountering Berlant part two: Cruel and other optimisms
Part 2 of Encountering Berlant amplifies the promise of Lauren Berlant's influential concept of 'cruel optimism'. Cruel optimism names a double-bind in which attachment to an 'object' holds out the promise of sustaining/flourishing, whilst simultaneously harming. The lines between harming, sustaining, damaging and flourishing blur, sometimes collapsing entirely. By holding together opposites the concept exemplifies and performs the centrality of …
From "Look East" to "Act East: India's Evolving Engagement With the Asia-Pacific Region
In 1991, India's Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao outlined the 'Look East' policy, designed to address India's neglect of the Southeast Asian region during the Cold War period. The purpose of the Look East policy initially was to build closer economic and cultural ties with the countries of the region and with ASEAN in particular. The current Modi administration's new 'Act East' policy has sought to expand these ties to include deeper security c…
India’s Public Diplomacy in the Twenty-First Century: Components, Objectives and Challenges
In recent years, several countries have made sustained efforts to project their ‘soft power’ abroad. Public diplomacy has been an important tool for this purpose. Public diplomacy involves activities usually undertaken by a national government to inform and influence foreign public opinion and attitudes in order to advance its foreign policy goals. Such activities include ‘nation-branding’, diaspora outreach, digital engagement, international bro…
India's Soft Power Diplomacy Under the Modi Administration: Buddhism, Diaspora and Yoga
This paper examines the Narendra Modi administration's use of three specific soft power assets of India – Buddhism, Diaspora, and Yoga – in diplomacy in service of the country's national interests. It attempts to address the following questions: What is the main purpose of the Modi administration's soft power strategy and the reasons behind the promotion and utilization of these three assets? What are the impediments to India's soft power project…
Narendra Modi’s Pakistan Policy: A Case of Old Wine in Old Bottles
This article examines India’s policy towards Pakistan since Narendra Modi became prime minister. At certain times, India has engaged in talks with Pakistan on various bilateral issues. At other times, it has adopted a hardline approach and canceled talks, stating that Pakistan had not demonstrated any sincerity in wanting to end cross-border terrorism against India. Modi’s critics have described his ‘on–off’ talks policy on Pakistan as flawed, co…
Democracy Promotion in India's Foreign Policy: Emerging Trends and Developments
Democracy promotion has never been an integral element of India's foreign policy. The pursuit of its national interests in the international arena has traditionally revolved around security, trade, and energy issues. This article demonstrates, however, that in recent times India has taken a more active stance in promoting and supporting democracy abroad. It identifies the specific ways in which India has engaged in democracy promotion and support…
India's South Asia policy in the twenty-first century: New Approach, Old Strategy
Maintaining regional supremacy and stability and denying extra-regional actors a military foothold in South Asia have long been key objectives of India's regional policy. In pursuance of these objectives, India displayed a willingness to undertake coercive action against its smaller South Asian neighbours. Evidence of this is seen in the military intervention in Sri Lanka (1987–1990) and a virtual economic blockade of Nepal (1989–1990). However, …
Indian General Elections 2009: The Myth of the 'National' Verdict
This article argues that the results of the Indian General Elections, 2009, emphasize continuity more than change. Regional political parties, local-level issues and identity-based politics remain significant. The verdict represents a confirmation of established patterns of electoral politics in India and not a break with the recent past
India’s Search for a Post-Cold War Foreign Policy: Domestic Constraints and Obstacles
During much of the Cold War, India chose to pursue a non-aligned foreign policy posture. The collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War forced India to redefine its foreign policy and search for a new place in the emerging international order. However, almost 20 years on, India’s foreign policy still appears to lack a coherent strategic doctrine. This article identifies some of the domestic factors that hampered the development of a…
Bhutan's Military Action against Indian Insurgents
This article describes the December 2003 Bhutanese military action against northeast Indian insurgent groups that had set up camps in Bhutan. It analyzes the reasons why Bhutan was forced to deal with this problem and places its actions in the context of domestic politics and foreign relations
Encountering Berlant part two: Cruel and other optimisms
Part 2 of Encountering Berlant amplifies the promise of Lauren Berlant's influential concept of 'cruel optimism'. Cruel optimism names a double-bind in which attachment to an 'object' holds out the promise of sustaining/flourishing, whilst simultaneously harming. The lines between harming, sustaining, damaging and flourishing blur, sometimes collapsing entirely. By holding together opposites the concept exemplifies and performs the centrality of …
India's Soft Power Diplomacy Under the Modi Administration: Buddhism, Diaspora and Yoga
This paper examines the Narendra Modi administration's use of three specific soft power assets of India – Buddhism, Diaspora, and Yoga – in diplomacy in service of the country's national interests. It attempts to address the following questions: What is the main purpose of the Modi administration's soft power strategy and the reasons behind the promotion and utilization of these three assets? What are the impediments to India's soft power project…
India’s Public Diplomacy in the Twenty-First Century: Components, Objectives and Challenges
In recent years, several countries have made sustained efforts to project their ‘soft power’ abroad. Public diplomacy has been an important tool for this purpose. Public diplomacy involves activities usually undertaken by a national government to inform and influence foreign public opinion and attitudes in order to advance its foreign policy goals. Such activities include ‘nation-branding’, diaspora outreach, digital engagement, international bro…
India's South Asia policy in the twenty-first century: New Approach, Old Strategy
Maintaining regional supremacy and stability and denying extra-regional actors a military foothold in South Asia have long been key objectives of India's regional policy. In pursuance of these objectives, India displayed a willingness to undertake coercive action against its smaller South Asian neighbours. Evidence of this is seen in the military intervention in Sri Lanka (1987–1990) and a virtual economic blockade of Nepal (1989–1990). However, …
India’s Search for a Post-Cold War Foreign Policy: Domestic Constraints and Obstacles
During much of the Cold War, India chose to pursue a non-aligned foreign policy posture. The collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War forced India to redefine its foreign policy and search for a new place in the emerging international order. However, almost 20 years on, India’s foreign policy still appears to lack a coherent strategic doctrine. This article identifies some of the domestic factors that hampered the development of a…
From "Look East" to "Act East: India's Evolving Engagement With the Asia-Pacific Region
In 1991, India's Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao outlined the 'Look East' policy, designed to address India's neglect of the Southeast Asian region during the Cold War period. The purpose of the Look East policy initially was to build closer economic and cultural ties with the countries of the region and with ASEAN in particular. The current Modi administration's new 'Act East' policy has sought to expand these ties to include deeper security c…
Bhutan's Military Action against Indian Insurgents
This article describes the December 2003 Bhutanese military action against northeast Indian insurgent groups that had set up camps in Bhutan. It analyzes the reasons why Bhutan was forced to deal with this problem and places its actions in the context of domestic politics and foreign relations
Narendra Modi’s Pakistan Policy: A Case of Old Wine in Old Bottles
This article examines India’s policy towards Pakistan since Narendra Modi became prime minister. At certain times, India has engaged in talks with Pakistan on various bilateral issues. At other times, it has adopted a hardline approach and canceled talks, stating that Pakistan had not demonstrated any sincerity in wanting to end cross-border terrorism against India. Modi’s critics have described his ‘on–off’ talks policy on Pakistan as flawed, co…
Bhutan's Military Action against Indian Insurgents
This article describes the December 2003 Bhutanese military action against northeast Indian insurgent groups that had set up camps in Bhutan. It analyzes the reasons why Bhutan was forced to deal with this problem and places its actions in the context of domestic politics and foreign relations
India’s Search for a Post-Cold War Foreign Policy: Domestic Constraints and Obstacles
During much of the Cold War, India chose to pursue a non-aligned foreign policy posture. The collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War forced India to redefine its foreign policy and search for a new place in the emerging international order. However, almost 20 years on, India’s foreign policy still appears to lack a coherent strategic doctrine. This article identifies some of the domestic factors that hampered the development of a…
India's South Asia policy in the twenty-first century: New Approach, Old Strategy
Maintaining regional supremacy and stability and denying extra-regional actors a military foothold in South Asia have long been key objectives of India's regional policy. In pursuance of these objectives, India displayed a willingness to undertake coercive action against its smaller South Asian neighbours. Evidence of this is seen in the military intervention in Sri Lanka (1987–1990) and a virtual economic blockade of Nepal (1989–1990). However, …
Indian General Elections 2009: The Myth of the 'National' Verdict
This article argues that the results of the Indian General Elections, 2009, emphasize continuity more than change. Regional political parties, local-level issues and identity-based politics remain significant. The verdict represents a confirmation of established patterns of electoral politics in India and not a break with the recent past
Democracy Promotion in India's Foreign Policy: Emerging Trends and Developments
Democracy promotion has never been an integral element of India's foreign policy. The pursuit of its national interests in the international arena has traditionally revolved around security, trade, and energy issues. This article demonstrates, however, that in recent times India has taken a more active stance in promoting and supporting democracy abroad. It identifies the specific ways in which India has engaged in democracy promotion and support…
Narendra Modi’s Pakistan Policy: A Case of Old Wine in Old Bottles
This article examines India’s policy towards Pakistan since Narendra Modi became prime minister. At certain times, India has engaged in talks with Pakistan on various bilateral issues. At other times, it has adopted a hardline approach and canceled talks, stating that Pakistan had not demonstrated any sincerity in wanting to end cross-border terrorism against India. Modi’s critics have described his ‘on–off’ talks policy on Pakistan as flawed, co…
India's Soft Power Diplomacy Under the Modi Administration: Buddhism, Diaspora and Yoga
This paper examines the Narendra Modi administration's use of three specific soft power assets of India – Buddhism, Diaspora, and Yoga – in diplomacy in service of the country's national interests. It attempts to address the following questions: What is the main purpose of the Modi administration's soft power strategy and the reasons behind the promotion and utilization of these three assets? What are the impediments to India's soft power project…
India’s Public Diplomacy in the Twenty-First Century: Components, Objectives and Challenges
In recent years, several countries have made sustained efforts to project their ‘soft power’ abroad. Public diplomacy has been an important tool for this purpose. Public diplomacy involves activities usually undertaken by a national government to inform and influence foreign public opinion and attitudes in order to advance its foreign policy goals. Such activities include ‘nation-branding’, diaspora outreach, digital engagement, international bro…
From "Look East" to "Act East: India's Evolving Engagement With the Asia-Pacific Region
In 1991, India's Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao outlined the 'Look East' policy, designed to address India's neglect of the Southeast Asian region during the Cold War period. The purpose of the Look East policy initially was to build closer economic and cultural ties with the countries of the region and with ASEAN in particular. The current Modi administration's new 'Act East' policy has sought to expand these ties to include deeper security c…
Encountering Berlant part two: Cruel and other optimisms
Part 2 of Encountering Berlant amplifies the promise of Lauren Berlant's influential concept of 'cruel optimism'. Cruel optimism names a double-bind in which attachment to an 'object' holds out the promise of sustaining/flourishing, whilst simultaneously harming. The lines between harming, sustaining, damaging and flourishing blur, sometimes collapsing entirely. By holding together opposites the concept exemplifies and performs the centrality of …
Trust in the Platform City: Negotiating respectability and information asymmetry on Taxi Platforms in Delhi
Unequal taxi geographies: Antagonisms in platform-driven urban restructuring in Delhi, India
This article considers how the relationship of everyday spatial practices of digital on-demand, ride-hailing taxi drivers and social imaginaries of urban restructuring remain imbricated in class and religious antagonisms. Through an ethnographic investigation of the intimate neighborhood geographies of exclusion that govern platform work in Delhi, this article provides a richer understanding of how platform urbanism is undergirded by heterogeneou…
From Soft Power to Strategic Denial: Cricket and Coercive Diplomacy in India–pakistan Relations
This article reconsiders sport’s role in diplomacy by examining how cricket functions as a source of coercive leverage in contemporary India–Pakistan relations. While much scholarship views sport as soft power or a confidence-building mechanism, India has, since 2012, refused to resume bilateral cricket with Pakistan, while multilateral tournament arrangements have increasingly adapted to preserve its participation. The article argues that India’…
Political science (9 works) · Law (8 works) · Politics (8 works) · Law (7 works) · Economics (6 works) · Foreign policy (6 works) · Development economics (5 works) · Political economy (5 works) · South Asian Studies and Conflicts (5 works) · Politics and Conflicts in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Middle East (4 works)