India s Role in South Asia

THERE are now not many who would dispute the conclusion that the Indian state and ruling classes are out to establish a regional hegemony in South Asia. The differences lie in assessing the meaning and significance of this regional hegemony. The ideologues of the Indian state, while stressing that India's 'pre-eminence' in the region must be recognised, try to portray India's role as a benevolent one, one which rescues the neighbouring countries from the machinations of imperialism and even contributes to the development of these countries.