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Jaswant Singh's name will go down in the history books because in more than sixty years of Indian post-independence history, he took Indian foreign policy in directions different to the 'Fabian' policies of Nehru and the Congress Party. He was primarily responsible for the more objective and cautious approach adopted by India when it faced its greatest challenges in the '90s. Without his mature guidance and the indubitable support of the Indian Prime minister, it is possible that the more robust approach of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would have led India down the path of war, not once but twice. Even a doyen like Stephen Cohen has acknowledged the 'Realist' Foreign Policy changes brought about by Singh, a policy which acknowledged that the changing, globalised world is led more by economics and national self interest. Without a doubt the credit for the centre right tilt of the Policy away from its ideology ridden leftist inclination goes to Singh in great measure. It is a tribute to him that succeeding governments have not deviated from the direction indicated by him.
The basic theme of this book is that Indian foreign policy lies 'trapped between four lines: the Durand Line; the McMahon Line; the Line of Control and the Line of Actual Control.' This strategic confinement has shrunk policy approaches, not allowing India to achieve its rightful place in the global order. It is a fact that India has not delineated its borders with its principal adversaries, forcing it to keep one of the largest standing armies, hamstringing its strategy and denying it true national security.
The Author refers to his book more as an 'enquiry' rather than a 'judgmental interdiction.' However judgmental it is as the Author delves into the five conflicts which highlighted the security challenges India has faced. He has analysed these conflicts in detail to bring out the failings in policies.
It is regrettable that the Author has not given more prominence to the role he definitely played in bringing about rapprochement with the US and marginalization of Pakistan in the post-nuclear scenario. Bruce Reidel, much respected senior adviser to four presidents has especially singled out the Talbott-Singh dialogues which took place 'fourteen times at ten locations in seven countries on three continents.' These set the seal to American engagement with India despite numerous distractions and have given an emphatic tilt to Indian Foreign Policy.
In the course of the book the Author comes out with fascinating insights. He bemoans the near emasculation of the Armed forces part of a mindset which resulted in the 'disarming of India' by the British reinforced by the pacifism of Gandhi. He refers to our lack of recognition of a sense of history; the glaring lack of 'sense of territory' resulting in an 'absence of territorial conscience.' Jaswant Singh has pondered deeply on India's security challenges, including terrorism, it will benefit the reader if he too looks into the mirror of history so eloquently projected by one who shaped it.
- Hardcover: 304 pages
- Publisher: Rupa Publications (November 4, 2013)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 8129129078
- ISBN-13: 978-8129129079
- Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.5 x 1.6 inches
- Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
- Customer Reviews: 2 customer reviews
- Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #976,479 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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