By Jobayer Hossain
Former Country Coordinator, Amnesty International UK
LLB, Middlesex University, UK | LLM, BPP University, UK

India’s External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar’s book Why Bharat Matters is, above all, a statement of national confidence. It presents an India that is not merely the largest country in South Asia, but an emerging power that seeks to play a defining role in the future global order. In Jaishankar’s narrative, “Bharat” is more than a geographical territory. It represents a civilisation, a historical continuity and an emerging global power.

The book is undoubtedly important. It is not simply the personal reflection of a senior diplomat. It also offers an insight into contemporary Indian strategic thinking. The ideas of strategic confidence, a stronger global role for India, and the concept of India as a “civilisational state” are visible throughout the book. But one important question remains: how closely does this confident narrative reflect the realities experienced by India’s neighbours in South Asia?

Jaishankar presents India as a voice of the Global South. Yet the experiences of India’s smaller neighbours do not always fully support that claim. Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and the Maldives have, at different times, faced a difficult reality in which India’s policies have contained elements of both cooperation and strategic influence. Bangladesh is perhaps the most relevant example. The relationship between Bangladesh and India is deeply rooted in history, culture, geography, and economics. Bangladesh has never forgotten India’s contribution to its Liberation War. That historic contribution remains an important part of the relationship between the two countries.

At the same time, however, it is also true that unresolved issues such as the Teesta water-sharing agreement, border killings, trade imbalances and perceptions of Indian influence in Bangladesh’s domestic politics have created a degree of strategic discomfort among many Bangladeshis. This is where the perspective of smaller neighbours becomes important.

Why Bharat Matters presents India as a responsible regional power, but the concerns and experiences of smaller South Asian states receive relatively limited attention. The reality of contemporary South Asia is that these countries no longer want to remain within a single sphere of influence. They increasingly seek a more diversified foreign policy, maintaining constructive relations with India, China, the United States, Europe and the Middle East according to their own national interests.

Yet Indian strategic thinking still sometimes appears to reflect a “sphere of influence” mindset. The rise of China has made South Asia even more important to India’s security calculations. As a result, the independent strategic choices of neighbouring countries can sometimes be viewed through the lens of competition rather than sovereignty. This creates a fundamental challenge for India. A strong neighbour does not necessarily become a trusted neighbour simply because it is powerful. Influence can produce compliance for a period of time, but trust requires something deeper: respect for sovereignty, equality and the legitimate interests of smaller states.

Perhaps the most interesting political aspect of the book is the use of the word “Bharat” rather than simply “India”. This is not merely a linguistic choice. It represents an ideological and cultural reframing of the Indian state. Through the idea of “Bharat”, contemporary India seeks to present itself as the inheritor of an ancient civilisation with a long historical continuity. But this raises another fundamental question: how inclusive is this idea of civilisational nationalism?

India has historically been known for its pluralism, religious coexistence and extraordinary cultural diversity. In recent years, however, the rise of Hindutva politics has generated new debates about the country’s commitment to that pluralistic tradition. For some, the idea of “Bharat” represents a legitimate revival of cultural identity and civilisational confidence. For others, it can appear to be part of a broader majoritarian political project. How India manages this tension will matter not only for its domestic politics but also for its international image.

Despite these criticisms, one fact cannot be denied: India is genuinely an emerging global power. Its economy, technological capabilities, military strength and diplomatic influence are stronger than at any previous point in its modern history. Jaishankar’s book captures that confidence effectively. But the real leadership of a country cannot be built on power alone. It must also be built on trust.

If India genuinely seeks lasting and legitimate leadership in South Asia, it must establish itself not only as a major power but also as a fair and dependable partner. The security concerns, economic interests and political sensitivities of its smaller neighbours must receive equal consideration. Otherwise, “Neighbourhood First” risks becoming more of a diplomatic slogan than a sustainable regional strategy.

There is also a larger strategic lesson here. India’s rise is not simply an Indian story. Because of geography, economics and history, what happens in India inevitably affects the rest of South Asia. Likewise, the way India treats its neighbours will influence how the region perceives India’s rise. A confident India should therefore have the confidence to listen to its neighbours, even when their views are uncomfortable.

Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, the Maldives and other South Asian states are not merely spaces within India’s strategic neighbourhood. They are sovereign countries with their own interests, identities and foreign-policy choices. Respecting that reality would not weaken India’s influence. On the contrary, it could make Indian leadership more credible and sustainable.

Why Bharat Matters is therefore more than a book. It is a reflection of the strategic mindset of contemporary India. That is precisely why it deserves serious attention from policymakers, researchers, and citizens across South Asia. The central question is not whether India matters. It clearly does. The real question is how India chooses to matter. Will India’s rise be defined primarily by its economic and military power, or will it also be defined by the trust it earns from its neighbours? For South Asia, that distinction may ultimately matter more than the size of India’s economy or the strength of its military.

India’s future as a global power is increasingly certain. Its future as a trusted regional leader, however, will depend on whether its neighbours feel respected, heard and treated as equal partners. That is the real test of whether Bharat matters not only to India, but to South Asia.