India’s World, in collaboration with the Council for Strategic and Defence Research (CSDR), hosted a book launch and panel discussion on 18 February 2026 at the Multipurpose Hall, Kamaladevi Complex, India International Centre, New Delhi. The event marked the launch of Prof. C. Raja Mohan’s latest book, India and the Rebalancing of Asia, published in the Adelphi Series by IISS. It examined India’s evolving strategic role in Asia amid intensifying great-power rivalry.
The launch of India and the Rebalancing of Asia brought together a distinguished gathering of diplomats, military strategists, and foreign policy analysts to examine the central arguments of the book against the backdrop of a rapidly shifting global order.
In the book, Prof. C. Raja Mohan argues that China’s rise has fundamentally altered the Asian balance of power, compelling India to move beyond its traditional posture of strategic ambivalence. The panel discussion anchored itself in this thesis, exploring how India’s incremental repositioning is reshaping regional security architectures, partnerships, and the rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific — and what more may be required of New Delhi in an increasingly unpredictable world.
The keynote address was delivered by Ambassador Shyam Saran, Former Foreign Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs, who also formally launched the book.
You can access the keynote address below
The opening address was given by Prof. C. Raja Mohan, Distinguished Fellow, CSDR. Welcome remarks were delivered by Prof. Happymon Jacob, Founder and Director, CSDR, and Editor, India’s World.
The panel discussion, moderated by Barkha Dutt (Columnist, Washington Post; Editor, The Mojo Story), brought together Ambassador Arun K. Singh (Nonresident Senior Fellow, Carnegie India; Former Ambassador of India to the United States), Lt. Gen. Raj Shukla (Former Army Commander; Member, UPSC), and Prof. Happymon Jacob.
You can access the full discussion below
About the Book
India and the Rebalancing of Asia (IISS Adelphi Series) traces India’s strategic evolution through the lens of China’s rise, arguing that New Delhi has incrementally repositioned itself as a consequential actor in shaping Asia’s emerging order. The book examines India’s partnerships, its approach to great-power competition, and its readiness to play a more decisive role in Indo-Pacific security.
Speakers
Keynote
Ambassador Shyam Saran — Former Foreign Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India
Opening Address
Prof. C. Raja Mohan — Distinguished Fellow, CSDR; Chair, Editorial Advisory Board, India’s World; Contributing Editor, The Indian Express
Moderator
Barkha Dutt — Columnist, Washington Post; Editor, The Mojo Story; Multimedia Journalist
Panellists
Ambassador Arun K. Singh — Nonresident Senior Fellow, Carnegie India; Former Ambassador of India to the United States
Lt. Gen. Raj Shukla — Former Army Commander; Member, Union Public Service Commission
Prof. Happymon Jacob — Founder and Director, CSDR; Editor, India’s World,