Pax Indica: India and the World of the 21st Century

Amazing for knowing international relations

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.

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!

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.

This book is a must-read for anyone who wants to gain a thorough understanding of world politics. This is not your typical book about politics. Shashi Tharoor combines his knowledge of world politics with his passion for literature to create a book that is both educational and entertaining. This is a book that will keep you on your toes and eager to keep reading.