Shahzad Ahmad, BS IR 6 A, Reg No 1442

Review of book: The India Way: Strategies for an Uncertain World

The India Way: Strategies for an Uncertain World

HarperCollins India, Sep 4 2020, 699 INR, 240 pages.

Review:
‘The India Way: Strategies for an Uncertain World,’ by Dr S Jaishankar, currently the
Union Foreign Minister, is a book that draws attention and curiosity. First, because it was written
by an experienced professional secretary for forty years, and therefore by vantage point. Second,
because he has now succeeded in formulating a very strong policy, the role of strategic
interpretation, and gaining insight into his thinking can be exciting. Third, because man also has
a reputation for meditation and wisdom, therefore, one would expect the book to present a
unique perspective that can help better understand the political and economic dialogue around
the world. Fourth, in a changing world it is really challenging to understand how the dynamics of
global dialogue will stabilize, especially in the post-COVID world that has made Nations
prioritize nationalism over diversity.

Therefore, a thinking India can have a deep sense of anticipation of how India will be connected
to the changing world situation, and what strategies can be put in place for India to move forward
a way that will achieve national priorities, and seek its place. on the international stage. This is
what the book plans to do. Introducing potential policy options on global challenges that can help
India balance its national interests with international obligations. In doing so, Dr. Jaishankar uses
history and culture to point the way to the inspiration of the past and to build a strong presence in
the world. This is evident in the way he used the film Satyajit Ray in which two Indians, while
playing chess, lost their wealthy empire in Awadh to the British East India Company, to further
the point that India should now be equal. recognizing emerging China in its place, and another
'great ongoing change.'

As he goes through the eight chapters of the book, one sees the unique fabric that this book
conveys, though the ever-present theme is the challenges related to China’s growth, US-China
transformation, India’s challenges and opportunities in the modern world are constantly
evolving. In line with his unparalleled style of speech, Dr. Jaishankar comes up with a statement
like this: "But for twenty years, China has won without a fight, while the US is fighting to win."
Another states: “America's impeccable world and China's strong dream set the tone (in
international relations)… even a progressive Europe refuses to struggle to find the right balance
between interests and values. As for Japan, its constant vigilance speaks for itself. ” The question
however remains as to how India will deal with uncertainty and manage its growth, and the
answer presented is an example of ‘if India can deal with uncertainty, its rise can also be very
rapid.’ As a student I have not been left so unwise.

As one moves from chapter to chapter, one feels that the book is more than just a collection of
personal thoughts and personal thoughts, rather than trying to put in place a comprehensive
domestic and international policy plan for India to follow - albeit economically. or in
international relations. This seems confusing until one remembers that the introduction to the
book means that the book was developed ‘through a series of events,’ especially talks given in
various forums. The author however has a strong belief that India will continue to rise. How this
will happen in a situation where India has flawed FTAs that have not fulfilled its economic and
trade interests, and continues to face the challenges of illiteracy and poverty, is something that
has not been adequately addressed.
There is also a lot of back-and-forth movement between events that are set far apart in the
sequence of events, and this book is probably easier to digest for a foreign policy reader than just
someone who wants to understand today's challenges facing India in a broader way. , with a list
of practical suggestions that will continue. For example it would be interesting to know more
about how India can position itself economically and commercially for the benefit of the post-
RCEP world, perhaps by strategizing in agreements with the US or Europe. Then he also made a
case for building great skills within the country, and rightly so, but does not answer the important
question of how this can be done in India which requires more input. Missing strategic
framework.

One would have greatly benefited from his study in the different countries to which he was sent
and how he had developed over time. Various related studies from Russia, US, Japan, Europe,
Singapore as an example. One would also benefit from his reflection on which model of
development India is best suited to follow in this period, facing the many challenges and missed
opportunities for development. Towards the modern-day empowerment economic opportunities
of multinational corporations seeking to diversify their supply chain, and to attract investment in
a more complex country would be very helpful. All in all, it is a book that you should browse for
an international relationship, focus on the most informative and seemingly most appropriate
ideas to be discussed in the Classrooms of External Training Institutions or at universities and
think centers, these courses. originally intended.

Jaishankar's new book covers a emerging global order, Chinese growth and existing
outcomes, nationalism and dissatisfaction, and the Mahabharata as a basis for examining Indian
strategy. Minister of Foreign Affairs S Jaishankar. In his new book, he writes: “This is the time
to unite America, to rule China, to cultivate Europe, to strengthen Russia, to make Japan exist. It
is not uncommon for someone to read a book about politicians sitting alone, leaving the cabinet
minister alone. So when a foreign minister decides to write, it becomes a big issue especially for
students, academics, analysts and observers of India's foreign policy.
S Jaishankar's The Indian Way: Uncertain World Strategy is a reflection on India's global
sources of morality, as well as the emergence of India's foreign policy during unprecedented
changes in world planning. With his outstanding role in the Indian Foreign Service from 1977 to
2018, which saw him hold US and Chinese positions before becoming Secretary of State, he was
appointed Indian Foreign Minister by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year, his testimony is
good there. when it comes to dividing Indian elections into an increasingly volatile country. And
to do so with the honesty of a scholar and the wisdom of a physician in this book in an effort to
“advance the cause of modern politics.”

The eight articles here are taken from interviews he presented two years ago and cover topics
ranging from globalization, changes in US priorities, rising China and existing outcomes, Indo-
Pacific dynamics, nationalism. and its dissatisfaction, the Mahabharata as a prism for exploring
the Indian strategy, as well as international realities after Covid-19. A few key themes in the
various categories are an important indicator of the significant change in India's foreign policy.

Throughout this book, there is a longing for India to live and feel a sense of dynamics. The great
"truth" of India's approach to world affairs can bring great benefits. This may sound absurd to
many but in a country where top policymakers often suggest that India does not exercise political
power in international affairs, this point should be emphasized. A second full article in
Jaishankar’s analysis is the view that instead of viewing disruption as an unwelcome net India
should not only engage in these practices but also should try to shape them continuously for the
benefit of the country. It is in the spirit of the power of evolution and that evolution always
confuses others.

The third outstanding aspect of his analysis of his dealings with the ‘street’ issue against the
‘Lutyens elite’ in the development of India’s foreign policy. Contrary to many would like to see
foreign policy issues exclude democratic participation, Jaishankar recognizes the pressure of
public opinion in policy making. Not only does he hope that India's inherent values will allow
him to integrate his nationality and international relations but he also sees the idea of India's
foreign policy allowing him to engage the world "with greater confidence and greater
authenticity."
For reasons that should be obvious to observers of Indian foreign policy, one of the key themes
of this book is the rise of China and its implications for India's foreign policy and security. In
what may be one of the most quoted lines in the book, Jaishankar writes: "This is the time to
negotiate with the United States, to rule China, to cultivate Europe, to strengthen Russia, and to
make Japan work." Chinese governance is tested from a variety of dimensions - from two
countries and a region to a wide range of power considerations. Although the letter was written
before the current crisis in the LAC, Jaishankar had already outlined India's policy by suggesting
that "the border and the future of relations cannot be divided" and that there is a need for greater
economic reconciliation from China. before. However, there is a buzz of Wuhan's spirit in these
pages when Jaishankar writes that "the shared interest in achieving global integration and
contributing to global resources has brought about unity between very different politics."

In the end, this book does something for a number of staff members. It explores a broad debate
over the sources of India's foreign policy ethics, saying that "as Indians prepare to give more,
they must rely on their own traditions to equip them to deal with the turbulent world." The study
of international relations in India continues to disregard Indian cultural values and intellectual
traditions. That is beginning to change and I hope that the excellent article in this book about the
Mahabharata “as the most striking dissolution of the Indian ideology in statecraft” will
strengthen the strong scholarship on this subject.

There is a lot of wonder in this book but once it is completed, there is a feeling that the author is
holding himself back as he has already revealed. Although he is impatient with a warning that
has long focused on Indian strategic thinking, he refuses to fully follow the thinking of his
arguments. For example, Jaishankar acknowledges the natural conflict in India's participation in
many groups or actors but does not fully highlight the cost of this approach, which means, in his
words, "a challenge for staff and analysts alike." It is true that in this age of globalization, all
nations are embroiled in moral corruption. But the balance of power in the Indian state is
changing dramatically and especially in a way that does not support Indian interests. The
growing China is challenging India in ways that cannot be managed by fencing. The question for
New Delhi really is:
Criticism:
The clear central idea that is repeated throughout Jaishankar's book is the need for India to
adopt a foreign policy based on truth and truth in order to survive and adapt to a changing world.
To make his point, he refers to some of the most important events in modern Indian history to
show that its state of indifference and self-defense often endangers the interests of the country,
due to failure to anticipate, identify, understand and analyze foreign events. As a result, India has
been moving on instead of holding itself back which is a natural indication that it is an
ineffective strategy against existing fluids and the uncertain state of global affairs. The author's
instructions for this crisis are for India to abandon its traditional moralpolitics (p.4), to stand up
and renounce its old "soft state" (p.50), and instead to adopt a strong, muscular state. of
"realpolitik" (p.5), foreign policy. This will allow India to protect its regional equity and be able
to further its international interests as the country wishes to play a key role in international
relations.

Jaishankar has a strong belief that the world is too dynamic about change and is facing a major
crisis without a change in traditional understanding of power. The new component and
constitutional features of power include, access to information and technology, greater physical
communication, and trade. In addition, the emergence of new regional actors entering the fray
has intensified global competition for competition, which has led to the creation of multiple
territories. Not only are competing countries competing for power and domination but there is
clear competition between our partners. Given this situation, the author develops a three-
dimensional strategy that can help guide the new study of Indian diplomacy. This includes
avoiding cooperatives, exploiting conflicts that are part of the global system, and adopting and
implementing conflicting policies. As the basis for the new Indian strategic culture, Jaishankar
draws on the Mahabharata. The author carefully recounts epic captions while trying to draw
lessons from the past. In doing so, he clarifies how ancient India was able to balance the pursuit
of accumulating power, while at the same time maintaining its ethical values and obligations.

Against this backdrop, India's outgoing Foreign Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, has written a book
entitled The India Way: Strategies for an Uncertain World to shed light on new political and
cultural developments. Writing the spirit of change in the functioning of modern international
relations, the author points out the fact that international relations at the level of the two
countries and many countries have progressed from the treaty world to the world of integration.
The ingenuity of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the knowledge of interaction enables the
reader to identify key factors that affect and influence the interdependent interactions between
the provincial actors which in turn determine the course and outcome of modern politics. In
addition, it gives a clear view of the political situation in India at the international forum and sets
out a vision of how India can achieve its destiny in the years to come. In this plan, he lists the
various challenges facing New Delhi and suggests policy solutions to overcome them. A major
problem with this book is the concern that the rapid change in international order caused by
China's growth and the US decline has affected the political and diplomatic perspective of India
and other Asian states. Jaishankar argues that the wet environment and changes in the
international system have led to a reconsideration of many of the basic ideas and principles of
international relations, and emphasizes that India's strategy must also be reformed in order to
utilize greater skills and commitments. In particular, he argues that taking on the listed risks is
essential to achieving human strength and a nation like India, with great ambitions for power,
cannot escape long to take a firm stand in challenging situations and difficult times.

Conclusion:
The book provides insight into India's current foreign policy and South Block perspective
on global politics for a global audience and Indian society. What makes this work different from
others is that it announces India's comprehensive foreign policy strategy is the very man who
directs and oversees Indian foreign affairs. The author not only wrote in parallel writing about
the complexity involved in India's relationship with its territory and its supreme power, but also
drew the reader's attention to the importance of moving from the traditional non-Discrimination
process to greater participation and immediate action. a form of multilateralism and
“plurilateralism” (p. 35) to protect and advance the interests of the Indian state in the present
state of the mixed world, as opposed to the polar world where co-operatives were the accepted
way. Contrary to previous traditional understanding of nationalism based on nonviolent
principles and the Nehruvian view of disunity, the author impresses his audience with a change
in the Indian strategy promoted by its ethnic nationalism derived from Hindu culture with
teachings from Mahabharat. Setting a new template for foreign policy driven by authenticity, not
only has India been able to successfully develop itself as an influential actor in the international
community but it has also been able to significantly elevate its global image as a leader.

Dealing with supporting the laws of change and uncertainty that exist in the current world,
developing strategic independence will work for India and enable New Delhi to make difficult
decisions that will align its domestic dreams with its global aspirations for world power.
However, in order to make this account a reality, it is necessary to create a robust ecosystem that
will make this transition easier. For this to happen, India must learn to bull its horns and change
events in order to win international favorites.