This book makes a detailed study of the functioning of India???s democracy on the one hand and the way India relates to the world on the other. It explores the manner in which dimensions of secularism and democracy, non-alignment and state intervention in the economy have been transformed with the course of time, especially since 1980s-90s. It examines India???s political culture, an arena where caste and religion, including Hindu nationalism and lower caste politics, play a major role in determining the course of electoral politics. The liberalisation of the economy has resulted in growth but not necessarily development and in discussing the ways in which India relates to the world this volume also takes a close look at India???s ties with the US, Russia and Europe so as to analyse its status as an emerging world power.