A Call to Honour

by Jaswant Singh

In Service of Emergent India is an evocative insider's account of a crucial period in India's history. It provides an in-depth look at events that changed the way the world perceived India, and a unique view of Indian statecraft. As Minister of External Affairs, Defense, and Finance in the BJP-led governments of 1996 and 1998-2004, Jaswant Singh was the main foreign policy spokesman for the government of Atal Bihari Vajpayee during the 1998 nuclear tests by India and Pakistan, the hijacking to Kandahar, Afghanistan, of Indian Airlines flight IC 814, and the Kargil conflict between India and Pakistan, as well as other key events. In an account that is part memoir, part analysis of India's past and future prospects, Singh reflects on his childhood in rural Rajasthan at the end of the colonial period, his schooling and military training, and memories of Indian Independence and the Partition of India and Pakistan. He analyzes the first four decades of Indian nationhood under Congress Party rule, ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan, Sino-Indian relations, and post-9/11 U.S.-Indian relations.

Genres: India, History, Nonfiction

448 pages, Hardcover

First published February 15, 2006

About the author

Jaswant Singh is an Indian politician. He belongs to the Bharatiya Janata Party and has held many portfolios in the national cabinet including Finance, External Affairs and Defence during the NDA regime (1998 to 2004). He was also the Leader of Opposition from 2004 to 2009 in the Rajya Sabha and the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission of India(1998–99). Known for his moderate political views, he is a self-described liberal democrat even though the Bharatiya Janata Party is often described as a right-wing nationalist organization. Currently he represents Darjeeling parliamentary constituency in the 15th Lok Sabha.

Reviews

[Devanshi Zaveri · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Engaging with the Natural ally” was most interesting chapter to read.

JS’s narrative very well describes events that changed West particularly US’s stance which mostly leaned towards Pak & China.

Reading about NDA1 ‘s foreign policy wrt Pakistan says a lot when put in perspective with that of NDA2 under Modi government.

For example,

* Agra happened even after Kandahar & Kargil

* After attacks on J&K VS, parliament & Kaluchak attack govt’s response is mentioned thus “The government, caught in a nearly impossible situation, remained calm, continuing to counsel restraint.” JS has described the restraint as an act of courage that showed statesmanship of ABV.


Some parts were a bit dry-read. But overall very informative book.

[Prathamesh · Rating 4 out of 5]

कॉल to ऑनर ~जसवंत सिंग (मूळ इंग्रजी )

जसवंत सिंग यांच्या बालपणीचा काळ फार रंजक आहे. ते राजस्थानच्या अशा भगत राहत की जिथे ब्रिटिश (अथवा कोणतीही )राजवट कधी पोहोचलीच नाही. त्या भागाला स्पर्श झाला तो फाळणीचाच.त्यांचे आजोबा हे एका कबिल्याचे प्रधान होते .

[Shantanu · Rating 3 out of 5]

A long ponderous, scholarly book full of reflections from Jaswant Singh as India' s foreign minister under Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

[Meetas · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wealth of detail, particularly about India's Pokhran nuclear tests, relationships with neighbours, and a wonderful insight into how foreign policies are conceptualised, and executed. Very informative, it is at the same time an autobiography, as well as being an incisive commentary on the political state of affairs today.