Executive master thesis | International Relations and Diplomacy (MSc)
open access
In recent times, the diaspora has become a focus of interest in the study of International Relations. The diaspora communities have been engaged in both peaceful activism and violent resistance...Show moreIn recent times, the diaspora has become a focus of interest in the study of International Relations. The diaspora communities have been engaged in both peaceful activism and violent resistance fighting for the cause of homeland conflicts. Can these groups influence the foreign policy decisions on security cooperation (particularly counterterrorism) between host and homeland countries? Using the Host Integration Theory, this study investigates the impact of South Asian diaspora-led activism (India and Pakistan) on India’s bilateral counterterrorism cooperation with France, Germany, and the United Kingdom. To explore the question, India’s counterterrorism cooperation with three cases (France, Germany, and the United Kingdom) and South Asian diaspora-led activism/resistance with these states has been mapped out using content analysis. Additionally, three semi-structured interviews were conducted with terrorism studies researchers to explain the trends observed in the content analysis. The findings of the comparative study revealed that Indo-French counterterrorism engagement has high levels of cooperation and lower levels of diaspora-led activism. Similarly, the Indo-Germancounter-cooperation showed medium to high levels of cooperation and lower levels of diaspora-led activism. On the other hand, lower levels of counterterrorism cooperation and higher levels of diaspora-led activism/resistance involving violence were identified in the case of the United Kingdom. Hence, the study helps to understand how diaspora-led activism/resistance can impact the bilateral counterterrorism cooperation between host and homeland countries.Show less
