Perceptions play a very significant role in South Asian politics. They have largely shaped and influenced state policies and politics among the South Asian countries, especially in relation to India, over the years. State policies have at times been hostage to negative or adversarial perceptions, well-entrenched in the popular psyche. The perception formation in South Asia is an extremely dynamic process and has evolved differently in different countries. Perceptions are not static and often change with the shift in domestic as well as regional and global politics. There are myriad stakeholders—with diverse sectional interests—explicitly or implicitly shaping and influencing perceptions among countries in South Asia.
This book comprising sixteen chapters, contributed by scholars from all the South Asian countries, seeks to identify and examine the various strands of (mis)perception prevalent particularly vis-à-vis India; and its various causal factors ranging from conflicting historical memories to contesting national identities, and growing intellectual disconnect to diverging geo-strategic imperatives. The role of the media and the growing Chinese thrust in the region has also been discussed.
The way forward illustrated in the form of key recommendations has both academic and policy relevance.
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