In 2006, Sikiri ended a 36-year career in the Indian Foreign Service by retiring from the Ministry of External Affairs, where he was responsible for the county’s relations with governments from
the Arab world to Central Asia and the Pacific. Here he offers neither a textbook for a diplomat’s memoirs, he says, but an introduction for politicians and citizens to India’s past, current,
and potential foreign policy regarding a variety of countries and issues. His goal is to provide background for debating whether the country should undertake a larger role in the world’s
affairs, and if so, how. His topics include Pakistan and Afghanistan, the Look East policy, Russia and Eurasia, the US and nuclear issues, energy security, defense and diplomacy, and India’s
strategic choices. Annotation ©2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
