Beyond Diplomatic Dilemmas

Part biography, part memoire, part travelogue, part a portrayal of people and rulers of various countries and part commentary on international developments and actions and decisions of the MEA, this book is an account of the roller coaster journey of trials and tribulations, high and lows, moments of sheer exhilaration and deep desperation of a diplomatic nomad expressed in simple language without any diplomatic dilemmas. It is a starkly realistic view of ground realities emerging from first-hand experiences in some of the world's most challenging places. It is a candid, bold and honest account put across in a manner which is surprisingly undiplomatic and politically incorrect! To a great extent, the reader becomes a partner of the author and travels along with him, sharing his joys and sorrows, anger and frustration and offering slices of a heady mix of different cultures, customs, colours, hues, traditions, mindsets, ways of living and systems of governance. It demystifies and deconstructs the life of an Indian diplomat. It is not all wining and dining and dancing till wee hours or teeing off early morning. It is also a constant struggle to survive against all odds and keep the Indian flag flying, swaying things around in India's favour and generating goodwill and friendship for India with whatever tools available. Not an easy task by any standards!