INDIA’S WORLD: How prime ministers shaped foreign policy

ABOUT THIS BOOK

When Narasimha Rao became the prime minister in 1991, just a billion dollars separated India from bankruptcy. He was told by Finance Minister Manmohan Singh, that petrol pumps would run dry after two weeks. India was forced to ship 46.8 million tonnes of gold to secure $400 million in loans from the Bank of England and Bank of Japan. This blow to the national pride may not have been comparable to the military humiliation of 1962, but it was bad enough.

Carved in riveting prose, India’s World is about such trials and many triumphs of the country. Since Independence, eight prime ministers, in particular, have been the principal architects of India’s rise. From Nehru, venerated as a resolute statesman and one of the great political minds of the last century, to Modi who is acknowledged as a determined doer, the book offers a crystal clear portrait of India’s leaders.

This lively volume celebrates the myriad ways in which they have made history. It asks and answers questions that people often debate about. Who was the great Indian prime minister, complete in every respect? If there was one, could it be Nehru, Indira or Rao? Or, is it Modi? Elegantly written by one of India’s finest strategic minds, it is a must-read for those curious about India’s place in the world. There are messages too for a future Indian prime minister on what to expect.