convincing sceptical countries and corporates required more than a rule change. It required economic diplomacy. This had almost never been attempted before. Indian diplomats were used to either pontificating about Third World solidarity in the United Nations or petitioning the West for wheat and dollar loans. They had little experience selling the economy to private investors abroad. A few months after he took over power, Rao sent a note to all Indian missions, asking them to promote India as an investment destination.
