Sensing that communist China is set to acquire nuclear weapons, Kennedy's USA offered India the chance to conduct nuclear tests in early 1960s. That offer was ultimately turned down by Nehru's India, ostensibly on two reasons - that the then USSR could isolate India and due to India's commitment to non-alignment - a decision lamented to date! Why did Indira Gandhi give a vague reply to Brehnev's query on Afghanistan? The analysis and scathing assessment behind the reasons for taking decisions like the above is brilliant in the terrific work called 'A life in Diplomacy', authored by distinguished career diplomat and former ambassador, Maharajakrishna Rasgotra. This book offers great insights on Indian foreign affairs right from Nehru's tryst with destiny to Rajiv's follies.
An abject assessment of non-career diplomats in the beginning chapters of the book offer finer points on diplomacy. A key strand is the fact that highly personalized style of functioning based on emotions and theories wrecks havoc in the arena of Diplomacy. Nixon-Kissinger's folly during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation war is a classic example. It is interesting to encounter some interesting personalities in the book - the volte faced Nepalese king Mahendra, the stoic and yogi like external affairs minister Sardar Swaran Singh, the other side of Margaret Thatcher during whose reign ties with India improved.
The book offers some good lessons in dealing with India's neighbors and the Versailles Syndrome that plagues India's strategic establishment vis a vis Pakistan. It felt really great to read a polished gem of work!
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