The Indian Navy has gradually emerged as an indispensable tool of Indian diplomacy in recent years, making it imperative for Indian policy-makers and naval thinkers to think anew the role of the nation's naval forces in Indian strategy. There is a long tradition in India of viewing the maritime dimension of security as central to the nation's strategic priorities. With India's economic rise, India is trying to bring that focus back, making its navy integral to national grand strategy. This volume is the first full-length examination of the myriad issues that have emerged out of the recent rise of Indian naval power. 'Given the sharp shift of strategic focus; from the Pacific and Atlantic to the Indian Ocean, this stimulating anthology constitutes a timely endeavour by Harsh V. Pant to provide an insight into India's enigmatic maritime rise. Nine thoughtful chapters provide a kaleidoscopic and objective view, through Indian and foreign eyes, of the rationale underpinning India's aspirations for a capable 21st century blue-water navy.' Admiral Arun Prakash (Retd) 'An essential guide to an important subject, recommended for generalists and specialists alike. While China and its navy have received much attention in recent years, outside of India the transformation of the Indian navy has gone mostly unnoticed. This volume fulfils a vital role in grounding the reader in the historical, material and cultural context of the Indian navy, and Indian maritime thought by leading Indian and Western authors.' Patrick Bratton, Hawai`i Pacific University, USA 'The Rise of the Indian Navy is a collection of essays by experts based in India, the United Kingdom and the United States which assesses the remarkable development of Indian naval capabilities in recent years... it is a valuable and well-produced contribution to a subject which is not well understood in the West, or even within India.' International Journal of Maritime History