‘M.D. Nalapat’s book 75 Years of Indian Foreign Policy: War, Peace and a World Realigned is riveting, erudite and provocative. He does not shy away from candour and unequivocalness.’ —K. Natwar Singh, Former Minister of External Affairs In early 2020, Covid-19 ravaged the globe, affecting every single nation and its population. In 2021, the Taliban took over Afghanistan even as the US troops made a hasty exit. In 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine, leading to a severe political and economic backlash. In recent years, such transformational events have disrupted the world order and brought to the limelight the interplay of dynamics between nations. The global scene is characterized by changes that often erupt with very little warning and which require major adjustments in outlook and policy. The world has to be studied in terms of what it is, rather than what it should have been, or would be, were conditions to remain unchanged or ideal. As a potential superpower, India’s foreign policy framework requires a foundation built on an admixture of present-day realities as well as long-term trend lines. It requires resilience and flexibility, so as to overcome geopolitical storms and strategic setbacks, not to mention taking advantage of opportunities. 75 Years of Indian Foreign Policy, a part of the series Journey of a Nation, describes such a framework for Indian foreign policy, even as it traces past decisions and errors that have had a lasting impact on the nation and its relations with neighbours and global superpowers. Further, it charts a path for the future of the nation and forecasts the potential impacts of decisions made today. A must-read for those in policy circles as well as anyone interested in the place of the nation in the emerging world order.
