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9781032282978

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'This impressive book adds significantly to the intelligence literature by providing a detailed analysis of Indian intelligence culture and using this as a framework to explain the Indian experience with strategic surprise. It is a landmark work that expands the horizons of academic Intelligence Studies.' Mark Phythian, Professor of Politics, University of Leicester 'In recent years, scholars of intelligence have finally started to sail outside of their sea lane by studying intelligence and security agencies beyond the Anglosphere and Europe. The latest author to make their mark is Dr Dheeraj Paramesha Chaya. Dr Chaya's book is a brilliant discussion of India’s foreign intelligence culture from the colonial era to the present day. Packed with detailed research on the reasons for strategic surprise, the book is an important contribution to the study of intelligence.' Christopher R. Moran, Professor of US National Security, University of Warwick 'Dr Chaya’s volume is an exceptionally important contribution to the scholarship on intelligence. It provides an exemplar fusion of Western conceptual literature on intelligence with both India’s own conceptual traditional precedents on intelligence as well as that nation’s practical, contemporary experience of intelligence as a core state function and as a profession. It provides an excellent demonstration of the kind of work that can be done, and that needs to be done.' Philip H.J. Davies, Professor, Intelligence Studies and Director, Brunel Centre for Intelligence and Security Studies (BCISS), Brunel University 'It is hard to overstate the significance of this book for India, and for all those trying to understand that crucially important country. It is an unblinking, meticulously researched, in-depth examination of more than two thousand years of India's underappreciated intelligence culture, starting with the seminal Arthashastra - a work of such sophistication that it makes The Art of War look like a children's book. This is not abstract study, it has the intellectual courage to test its finding in some of India's most sensitive real-world conflicts. It is a uniquely valuable book that will spawn new fields of study for years to come.' Cleo Paskal, Associate Fellow, Chatham House 'Within the canon of intelligence studies, India’s Intelligence Culture and Strategic Surprises does two incredibly valuable things. It firstly opens up the black box of the Indian intelligence machine, something that has – hitherto – been a significant absence from the intelligence studies literature. Secondly it provides an authentic voice on Indian security concerns. Too often security and intelligence studies rests upon the British or American voice, or the British and American attempt at taking an Indian viewpoint. Dheeraj engages with and speaks to the intelligence and security studies field, but does so with authentic Indian experiences and research material. In doing so he is performing a valuable service in opening our eyes to a vitally important strategic partner, and a highly capable intelligence and security power. In these uncertain times, it is a critically important role.' Robert Dover, Professor of Intelligence and National Security, University of Hull

* Winner of the 2024 Kjetil Hatlebrekke Memorial Book Prize, King's College London* 'This impressive book adds significantly to the intelligence literature by providing a detailed analysis of Indian intelligence culture and using this as a framework to explain the Indian experience with strategic surprise. It is a landmark work that expands the horizons of academic Intelligence Studies.' Mark Phythian, Professor of Politics, University of Leicester 'In recent years, scholars of intelligence have finally started to sail outside of their sea lane by studying intelligence and security agencies beyond the Anglosphere and Europe. The latest author to make their mark is Dr Dheeraj Paramesha Chaya. Dr Chaya's book is a brilliant discussion of India’s foreign intelligence culture from the colonial era to the present day. Packed with detailed research on the reasons for strategic surprise, the book is an important contribution to the study of intelligence.' Christopher R. Moran, Professor of US National Security, University of Warwick 'Dr Chaya’s volume is an exceptionally important contribution to the scholarship on intelligence. It provides an exemplar fusion of Western conceptual literature on intelligence with both India’s own conceptual traditional precedents on intelligence as well as that nation’s practical, contemporary experience of intelligence as a core state function and as a profession. It provides an excellent demonstration of the kind of work that can be done, and that needs to be done.' Philip H.J. Davies, Professor, Intelligence Studies and Director, Brunel Centre for Intelligence and Security Studies (BCISS), Brunel University 'It is hard to overstate the significance of this book for India, and for all those trying to understand that crucially important country. It is an unblinking, meticulously researched, in-depth examination of more than two thousand years of India's underappreciated intelligence culture, starting with the seminal Arthashastra - a work of such sophistication that it makes The Art of War look like a children's book. This is not abstract study, it has the intellectual courage to test its finding in some of India's most sensitive real-world conflicts. It is a uniquely valuable book that will spawn new fields of study for years to come.' Cleo Paskal, Associate Fellow, Chatham House 'Within the canon of intelligence studies, India’s Intelligence Culture and Strategic Surprises does two incredibly valuable things. It firstly opens up the black box of the Indian intelligence machine, something that has – hitherto – been a significant absence from the intelligence studies literature. Secondly it provides an authentic voice on Indian security concerns. Too often security and intelligence studies rests upon the British or American voice, or the British and American attempt at taking an Indian viewpoint. Dheeraj engages with and speaks to the intelligence and security studies field, but does so with authentic Indian experiences and research material. In doing so he is performing a valuable service in opening our eyes to a vitally important strategic partner, and a highly capable intelligence and security power. In these uncertain times, it is a critically important role.' Robert Dover, Professor of Intelligence and National Security, University of Hull

Author Information

Dheeraj Paramesha Chaya is Assistant Professor, Department of Geopolitics and IR, Manipal Academy of Higher Education [MAHE], India. He has a PhD in Intelligence Studies from Leicester University, UK.

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