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Diplomatic Channels
The book by Krishnan Srinivasan is in four parts — about his innings as Foreign Secretary; revisiting nonalignment; articles on the wider world and his foray into the literary field. The parameters to be adopted to judge the book are: Does it live up to the stated objectives of the author and measure up to the expectations of readers? Finally, does it add to our knowledge on India’s foreign policy. To do justice to the title is a formidable challenge. As a former diplomat, one can understand, how difficult it is, being involved in some channels in promoting connectivity at the people-to-people level through the Two Punjab Centre at CRRID. The book is about the effective use of diplomatic channels made by the author as Foreign Secretary, as India calibrated its efforts on economic diplomacy, in the wake of economic liberalisation initiated by Prime Minister Narasimha Rao in 1991. A significant strand that emerges is the use of diplomatic channels in aligning foreign policy goals with domestic politics. The author provides an unusual insight, as to how domestic concerns were dovetailed into an overall national agenda. The book is not only about the success of diplomatic channels, but about the missing links where diplomacy has to work but channels are not available. It is about the inadequacy of a structural framework, facilitating the normal flow of ideas between foreign establishment and the top leadership. The book dwells on nonalignment as the author “revisits” it in three neatly divided periods, called “The ages of idealism, realism and opportunism.” He raises the perennial question of its “even-handed” character, relevance and whether it delivered for India. To him, it was “nothing more or less than the practice of an old-fashioned balance of power”. Timely observations, as Indian scholars are looking at Nonalignment 2.0. From the reader’s perspective, the book provides a minefield of information on Indian foreign policy and the challenges faced during the critical years, post-economic liberalisation, when India was finding its rightful place on the world stage. The impact of the personality of Prime Minister was seen, as he shaped it through his interaction with other world leaders. The author has to be credited for analysing world events without mincing words. The strength of the book lies in raising awareness about diplomatic channels and adding to the knowledge on contribution of Prime Minister Narasimha Rao. We need to create such diplomatic channels and strengthen them to protecting our national interest in foreign policy. It should not be allowed to become a victim of personal proclivities of our leaders, howsoever, eminent they may be, like Nehru.
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