Strategic Conundrums: Reshaping India's Foreign Policy

by Rajiv Sikri

The book examines India’s current and looming foreign policy challenges from a strategic and policy-oriented perspective. It analyzes the long-term factors and trends that should determine the country’s foreign policy formulation. The author urges a reappraisal of India’s approach if it is to become a major player in the complex and rapidly evolving 21st century world.

Strategic Rethinking India’s Foreign Policy focuses on India’s immediate and strategic neighbourhood. It also looks at important issues like energy security, economic diplomacy, the interaction between defence and diplomacy, and foreign policy institutions. A unique feature of the book is that it combines the perspectives of a historian, a diplomat and a scholar. With many new out-of-the-box ideas and policy suggestions, it makes a valuable contribution to the ongoing debate on foreign policy within India’s strategic community.

This lucid and succinct book is a must-read for policy-makers, diplomats and foreign policy analysts. The corporate and business community too will find it professionally relevant. It is also an important knowledge resource for students of Indian politics, international relations, and defence and strategic studies, and others who are interested in India’s foreign policy.

296 pages, Hardcover

Published July 31, 2024

Reviews

[vaibhav gupta · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book offers a refreshing and insightful analysis of India's foreign policy landscape. With a clear and concise writing style, the author expertly navigates the complexities of India's geopolitical challenges, both within its immediate neighbourhood and on the global stage.

What sets this book apart is its ability to distill complex geopolitical issues into easily digestible information. It provides a comprehensive overview of the key factors shaping India's foreign policy, from historical context to current trends. The author's keen understanding of international relations is evident in their ability to present nuanced perspectives on a variety of topics, including India's relations with China, Pakistan, and other regional powers.

One of the book's greatest strengths is its forward-looking approach. It provides valuable insights into the potential challenges and opportunities that India may face in the coming years. By examining the evolving geopolitical landscape, the author offers a thought-provoking analysis of the strategic choices available to India's policymakers.

Whether you're a seasoned geopolitical buff or simply interested in learning more about India's role in the world, this book is a must-read. Its clear, engaging writing style and insightful analysis make it a valuable resource for anyone seeking to understand the complexities of India's foreign policy.

[Walter Sylesh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Former Ambassador Sikri has delivered a concise perspective on India's neighbourhood and relations with current world powers.

The book is simple to read and does display some bias towards hawkish policies. Ambassador Sikri's preference for gaining leverage and one-upmanship in negotiations displays a thing or two about his personality.

The ideas proposed are popular and largely play to the gallery of the present milieu while also displaying the wealth of erudition that only a life in practical diplomacy can endow. It's a good reference book that's more contemporaneous and can be seen as a bridge from Harsh V Pant's Politics and Geopolitics and Ambassador Surendra Kumar's India's Foreign Policy Post COVID-19.

I found it a quick revision material and similar to Sujan Chinoy's work.