Pax Indica: India And The World Of The 21st Century

The author, a former Under Secretary General at the UN and an outstanding diplomat, is at his usual best. Written in delightful prose, this book provides the reader with a thorough review of the practice of India's relations with the world since independence. He also carefully analyzes the structure of the Indian Foreign Service and finds it wanting. Most importantly, he recommends a radical enlargement of the number of diplomats. He also calls for the recruitment of talent from other parts of the bureaucracy and even the private sector. My only criticism of the book is that the author does not consider the possibility of radical changes in the world order during the next few decades and simply assumes the current global order with a richer China and India.

A must read for an Indian who want to reshape this world on most fundamental humanitarian principles. I would suggest Mr. Tharoor to update this book biennially, a must read for policy makers of India.

Excellent book for all those who want to know more about foreign policy matters. Amongst the most common perceptions that we as Indians always have or the question that why we don't retaliate with our might to Pakistan's in grown terrorism, is best explained in the book. One should also understand the importance of inclusive growth, which is also a solution to our inward problems of greater divide of rich and poor. The statistics of the contributions that India makes in the world affairs and also in the south east Asia is simply a mark of our efforts to keep peace, sustain culture etc within & outside of our territory. All these are notably highlighted in the book and no wonder why people say world would be watching India of the 21st century.

Superbly written insight into how India foreign policy affects the common man. Foreign policy diplomacy affects fuel, food prices more than what middle class knows today. India middle class is possibly the most ignorant amongst democratic countries as it chooses to disassociate itself from local self-governance & foreign policy. Parts of this this classic Tharoor book should form curriculum in senior school so that students become more aware of how Govt, public policy & foreign policy intertwine to give them a Govt that works.

Shashi Tharoor is an extremely fine and nuanced writer who once aimed to be United National Secretary General and has decades of experience in working at the world’s headquarters. He also had a stint in India’s external (foreign) affairs ministry; reasons good enough to give this book a try. Those steeped into geo-politics and trends would struggle to suppress a yawn but from an Indian perspective it as as good as it gets. There is hardly any worthwhile publication or book on India’s foreign policy which to be fair has largely revolved around Pakistan for most part of its independent existence. Things have begun to change in this millennium and the present Modi government seems to have a vigorous direction in mind. India has unique geographic, demographic and cultural advantage and with its present improving economic strength—presently world’s seventh best economy—it is being taken very, very seriously in international forums. Its’ democracy, with dozens of states, varying climates, religions and dialects continue to be a shining light in world arena. Tharoor takes up most of these issues but mostly exerts a light touch on them. He clearly seems politically inhibited and at times even appears a publicist (an apologist) for the UPA government to which he was a part and continues to harbour ambitions within Congress, a party which was mostly in power in independent India’s existence. Tharoor touches most of 20th century from an Indian perspective. There is a mention of how India’s GDP hardly rose to 1 per cent between 1900-1947 under British Raj; how India sought neutrality yet was seen in Soviet Union camp in its initial decades of independence, how it turned a leaf into the 90s with opening of economy. There is a justifiable emphasis on India’s emigrant strength—the second largest in the world with 11.4 million—as well as its progress on literacy and child-mortality front. There is hardly an angle which is missed by Tharoor. So you have an insider’s brief of India’s engagement with practically every nation of the world; India’s marked emphasis on “Go East” policy (riding on its cultural strength and background of centuries where Buddhism was a decisive factor). Enjoyable sections include India’s marked difference in approach to Africa, compared to China etc. India’s growing engagement with Latin America, the BRICS prospects and variously international forums aren’t missed either. There is more than a subtle hint that World Bank and IMF led international financial institutions are due for a shake-up soon as world’s majority of powerless nations clamour for a place in the sun. Pakistan and US of course take a sizeable attention but a reminder is also conveyed on India’s historical links with Middle East and how a delicate handling is required now that India’s relations with Israel are on the up—they being the second largest arms exporter to India besides their technical support in agriculture. Most enjoyable chapters I found was insight on United Nations and how it functions. Tharoor reserves his strongest disapproval on the poor numerical strength of India’s diplomatic corps. India has far less diplomats and staff’s presence in the world than compared to even smaller nations such as Singapore. There is also suitable criticism how foreign policy has always been controlled by Prime Minister and the foreign affairs ministry has its area of operations usurped by cultural affairs and immigration ministry at times. A better coordination between ministries, and hefty budget, is desperately required for India’s foreign policy to get the attention and expertise it deserves. Above all, the legacy of India’s past foreign policy experts and training of new corps has a weak thread which at times gives it an ad hoc appearance. Tharoor might have given us a pocket edition or “India’s foreign policy in a day” kind of book. It might appear “dumbing-down” to sensible and informed readers. But it still is a good introduction, a firefly in the jungle of darkness; a drill in the iron curtain which affords us a peep in labyrinth of India’s foreign policy.

A book that covers the author's view of where India is and his opinions of where it should go. It is an apologist's view of his time served in government. Some of the writing is tedious, whereas other parts move quite smoothly.

A MUST book that every indian should read..! If it was not Mr.Shashi Tharoor, no one else could have done justice to the context of this book. My Sincere respects and Heartfelt thanks to Mr.Shashi Tharoor. One cant put this book down. This book is elucidates: 1. India and its relationship with its neighbour countries (SAARC countries) 2. India's contribution to all its neighbour countries and what it expects from its neighbors 3. What India should do to establish itself as a Global Leader and a balancing power in Asia 4. What stops Pakistan from maintaining better relations with India 5. What are the factors that needs to be considered by India while framing its foreign policy. I am just 25% through this book and the contents of this book are very very informative. I will publish my complete review as soon as I hit the last page.

Tharoor, to say without exaggeration, could easily be identified as one of the first politicians to have a vocal presence on the Internet. From extending his views on the geopolitical issues in India and the World to having been a controversial figure, he has carved an audience for him. The book is a brilliant collection of Tharoor's researches, experiences , observations and his futuristic optimistic approach towards making India better equipped in a relentlessly globalizing world. He, from his rich years as a diplomat, begins with India as a country that has exponentially developed from being a tattered economy in 1947 to being a force to reckon with for the 21st century world. He delves into India's ancient history and from there, recounts her journey to being India of this day - the gains and losses she made in the journey so far. He, in great detail, addresses the threats and opportunities, the globalizing world offers to India. He assesses India's position as the member of SAARC - her relations with her neighboring countries - ranging from a terror infested Pakistan to a warm cordial Bhutan. He sees what opportunities the SAARC offers to India. He stretches his vision beyond India's neighborhood to a competitive (and in ways "capitalist") China , a China occupied Tibet,opportunities in the ASEAN - reiterating P.V. Rao's 'Look East' Policy. In the West, a battered Afghanistan, further to the gulf, where India has had fine relations with the Arabs since time immemorial,India's relations with Israel for her defense assistance, her stand on the issue of Palestine, her diplomacy in handling Iran (when US strongly opposes this) to further West, where India has been a generous aiding partner to an Africa, she sees a brethren in, India's position in the IOR-ARC, her relations with EU as a conglomerate and the individual nations comprising the EU, India's ever friendly relations with Russia. Tharoor proceeds further to NATO , India''s relations with the US- not just a market for her highly regarded Information Technology, but also a house to a large population of Indians, simultaneously addressing the rough edges in these relations. He makes an in depth analysis on how India's global partners offer her opportunities that she should look forward to, without hampering her domestic interests and her decision to do so not an external influence but her own taking. Tharoor then gets into the more sensitive issues in India's Govt. - particularly the Ministry of External Affairs - that is still a largely reactive body than a proactive body, mostly following the PMO than advocating what it thinks should be done. India's highly prestigious yet understaffed IFS wing. He makes a strong emphasis on administering India's 'soft power', which lies in her culture, literature, her diversity, art forms & also interestingly in Bollywood, without neglecting her hard powers. Never for once, does he sound pessimistic but makes his opinions in a very Govt.friendly, India friendly ways and yet addresses what needs to be done, how to make optimal uses of the resources and asks India not to be complacent with her recent global advances but to aim for a more sustainable inclusive development,how India plays an important member state to the United Nations and how well it deserves a permanent seat at the UN Security Council. A grand read!

one of the best books on Indian foreign policy. a must read for every Indian student and especially for the one preparing for CSE. this book is the story of evolution of Indian FP since the time of independence till now. Dr. Tharoor adds his personal experience while writing from the point of view of someone who has not only saw India shaping and reshaping its approach towards various nations but also helped making it from inside the government. Book is totally unbiased politically. Tharoor idolizes Nehru but does not unnecessarily defends him where he went wrong. book is complete package even for a layman of Indian FP. it is simply breathtaking . JUST GO FOR IT.

Book Content: You'll get an overall idea about the evolution of India's Foreign Policy from Midnight to the Millenium, insights into the workings at the South Block and in the UN, and so on. Love his way of presentation and wit! Page Quality is average. 5 stars for the content of the book

An amazing glimpse into the relationship of India and the contemporary world. Though comprehending the essence may not be for everyone, for those that can, it is a treasure. When Mr. Tharoor wrote the book he also made a prediction. Hope we can retrospect and see what could have been and learn from the past.