This book explores colonial and post-colonial intelligence services in South Asia. It traces the genealogy of the institutions to analyze changes and continuities throughout the region.
The volume also provides a framework for analyzing how intelligence services developed in these countries by looking at both internal and external issues, and shows how vital and sometimes interconnected these issues are for understanding intelligence in South Asia. It demonstrates how some countries and intelligence services borrowed from the colonial era and others started new institutions to protect national security in response to the shifting demands of the Cold War and post-Cold War era. Bringing together a group of international scholars, the anthology delves into the intelligence services of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka and traces how these national services developed in similar and diverse ways.
This book will be of much interest to students of intelligence studies, Asian politics, security studies and International Relations.
Table of Contents:
Introduction Chapter 1. Afghanistan: Besieged From Without and Within Chapter 2. Bangladesh: In Search of an Analytical Culture Chapter 3. Bhutan: A Historical Analysis of National Security and Neighborhood Diplomacy Chapter 4. India: Intelligence Changes and Continuities Chapter 5. The Maldives: Intelligence As a Weapon for Power Consolidation, Then and Now Chapter 6. Myanmar: The Development of An Intelligence State Chapter 7. Nepal: Intelligence Response to Insurgent Challenge Chapter 8. Pakistan: In Defense of its Ideological Frontiers Chapter 9. Sri Lankan: Intelligence Transformation During Colonialism, Civil War and Jihad Chapter 10. Intelligence Oversight in South Asia: Explaining Variations in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh Chapter 11. Conclusion: South Asian Intelligence Issues, Factors and Attributes
About the Author :
Ryan Shaffer is an independent scholar and has a PhD in history with expertise in extremism and security. His books include The Handbook of Asian Intelligence Cultures, The Handbook of African Intelligence Cultures and African Intelligence Services: Early Postcolonial and Contemporary Challenges.
ASM Ali Ashraf is a Professor and Chair of the Department of International Relations at the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh. He holds a PhD in international security policy from the University of Pittsburgh. He specializes in counterterrorism, intelligence, security and public policy.
Review :
'This book is an admirable exercise into the study of intelligence operations, a hitherto taboo and less explored area of intellectual inquiry in our parlance. It should immensely aid academics, public safety experts, practitioners and students of criminal justice administration.'
Muhammad Nurul Huda, Former Inspector General of Police, Bangladesh
"A compelling and insightful look into the intelligence apparatus of South Asia. A must-read for anyone interested in the dynamics of power and intelligence in our region."
Abdullah Kamaluddeen, Former Home Minister of the Maldives
“A great survey of South Asian intelligence. Comprehensive and insightful.”
Owen Bennett-Jones, author of The Bhutto Dynasty: The Struggle for Power in Pakistan
'... this book addresses a critical need in the field of intelligence studies. It will also be valuable to those interested in South Asian studies, history, security studies and international relations.'
Owen Sirrs, Global Change, Peace & Security, August 2025
'. . . a commendable and timely contribution to an area that remains comparatively underexamined. It will undoubtedly serve as a valuable reference for scholars and practitioners engaged in South Asian studies, history, security studies, and international relations.'
Punsara Amarasinghe, International Journal of Intelligence and CounterIntelligence December 2025
'A valuable treatment of intelligence services not frequently discussed in the literature.'
Hayden Peake, Studies in Intelligence December 2025
