Kautilya’s Mandala Theory: A Realist Framework for International Relations in South Asia

Author(s): Dr. Anurag Tiwari

Abstract:

Kautilya’s Arthashastra, composed around the 3rd century BCE, remains one of the earliest and most comprehensive treatises on statecraft and inter-state relations. Among its critical contributions is the Mandala theory, which conceptualises foreign policy and alliances through the metaphor of concentric circles, positing that an immediate neighbour is a natural adversary, while the neighbour’s neighbour is a potential ally. This research paper examines Mandala theory as a realist framework and analyses its relevance in understanding contemporary international relations in South Asia. It explores how India’s foreign policy behaviour towards Pakistan, China, Afghanistan, and smaller South Asian states such as Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh often reflects Kautilyan strategic logic. India’s enduring rivalry with Pakistan, competitive dynamics with China, proactive engagement with Afghanistan, and calibrated diplomacy towards smaller neighbours align with Mandala prescriptions. However, the paper also critiques the limitations of Mandala theory in the modern context, particularly its static geographical assumptions that do not account for transregional threats, global interdependence, and institutional multilateralism. This study concludes that while Mandala theory is context-bound, it provides a valuable indigenous realist framework to analyse South Asian geopolitics. Integrating Kautilyan thought into IR enriches theoretical pluralism and decolonises the discipline by foregrounding non-Western strategic traditions.

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Pages: 70-73     |    3 View     |    0 Download