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On China Reflections on Chinese Statecraft
This volume brings together a carefully curated selection of essays by Jagat Mehta, an Indian Sinophile and distinguished member of the Indian Foreign Service who retired as foreign secretary. Written in the 1960s for colleagues within the ministry, these essays emerge from a fraught moment in India-China relations, as the Indian establishment grappled with the aftermath of the 1962 war and the persistence of Chinese hostility. What Mehta offers is not merely commentary, but a form of historical analysis whose value endures, illuminating both the China of his time and the China we continue to confront today. His work also opens a rare window into Cold War-era Indian strategic thought, making this volume an important resource for scholars and students of archival history.
At its core, this is a study in ideas—on Chinese history and society, governance, and the long arc of its grand strategy to reclaim its central place as the Middle Kingdom (zhongguo). Yet, the significance of this reader extends beyond China. It invites reflection on India’s own strategic culture, raising questions about how ideas are formed, sustained, and sometimes lost within institutions. Drawing on declassified materials and the quiet labour of diplomacy, it offers a rare glimpse into the making of policy—one that will engage scholars, practitioners, and a wider readership alike.
At its core, this is a study in ideas—on Chinese history and society, governance, and the long arc of its grand strategy to reclaim its central place as the Middle Kingdom (zhongguo). Yet, the significance of this reader extends beyond China. It invites reflection on India’s own strategic culture, raising questions about how ideas are formed, sustained, and sometimes lost within institutions. Drawing on declassified materials and the quiet labour of diplomacy, it offers a rare glimpse into the making of policy—one that will engage scholars, practitioners, and a wider readership alike.
304 pages, Hardcover
Published September 1, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
September 22, 2026
An average read, the book seems tad too late. Although, aspects in the book merit attention, these have come out after almost six decades. An ok read.
November 3, 2026
We often try to understand countries through what they do today, forgetting that their decisions are shaped by histories, ambitions and ideas that have been developing for generations. Understanding China, particularly from India's perspective, requires looking beyond the headlines and asking a more difficult question: how does a country understand its place in the world?
On China: Reflections on Chinese Statecraft, curated by Vijay Gokhale and Chirayu Thakkar, brings together essays written by veteran Indian diplomat Jagat Mehta in the 1960s, when the aftermath of the 1962 Sino-Indian War had profoundly altered India's understanding of its neighbour.
What makes this collection particularly valuable is that these essays were originally written for colleagues within India's foreign ministry. They offer a glimpse into the thinking that informed Indian diplomacy during a difficult chapter in its history, examining Chinese history, society, governance and the country's long-standing conception of its place at the centre of the world.
The idea that stayed with me is the importance of historical memory in shaping foreign policy. Relations between countries are rarely just about the disagreement of the moment. They are also about accumulated mistrust, competing national narratives and fundamentally different understandings of power.
Looking back at how Indian diplomats tried to make sense of China offers a way to examine those assumptions rather than simply inherit them.
But perhaps the most interesting question the book raises concerns India itself. What happens to institutional knowledge when the people who possess it move on? And how much can a country learn from its own diplomatic history if those lessons are not preserved?
For readers interested in international relations and India's relationship with China, this collection offers a historical perspective on questions that remain consequential today.
October 5, 2026
A few curated essays from jagat Mehta show us the development of China in its early years of independence.
What makes this book special? It was written from the point of view of an Indian diplomat showing us the difference between India and China which gained independence post world war 2 and were subjected to different ideologies during the post war world. How they survived in the cold war and their strategies were well explained through his lens without any bias.
The essays were not strictly written but were backed up with references of various real life incidents and articles which makes this book more special.
Most of the aspects and methods prescribed by the writer which would help india to become better power than it was , were successfully implemented by the current government through its far east policy and other significant indian diplomatic policies. Although this book was too intensive in its writing style , too factual and too late in its arrival into the mainstream, it was never out of touch.
The problems mentioned in 1962 still exist today unlike few countries during that period but both countries now developed into bigger powers. The trioka still is a contention and the relationship still is hot and cold.
What makes this book special? It was written from the point of view of an Indian diplomat showing us the difference between India and China which gained independence post world war 2 and were subjected to different ideologies during the post war world. How they survived in the cold war and their strategies were well explained through his lens without any bias.
The essays were not strictly written but were backed up with references of various real life incidents and articles which makes this book more special.
Most of the aspects and methods prescribed by the writer which would help india to become better power than it was , were successfully implemented by the current government through its far east policy and other significant indian diplomatic policies. Although this book was too intensive in its writing style , too factual and too late in its arrival into the mainstream, it was never out of touch.
The problems mentioned in 1962 still exist today unlike few countries during that period but both countries now developed into bigger powers. The trioka still is a contention and the relationship still is hot and cold.
November 4, 2026
The book offers readers an opportunity to explore China's political thinking, diplomatic approach, and strategic vision.
The book invites us to look beyond headlines and understand the deeper principles that shape China's relationship with the world. It explores the importance of history, diplomacy, leadership, and strategic decision-making in understanding the Chinese state.
What makes this subject particularly interesting is the way statecraft connects historical experiences with contemporary international relations. For readers interested in geopolitics, diplomacy, and global affairs, this book offers an engaging perspective on one of the world's most influential nations.
Why Read This Book? • Understand the foundations of Chinese statecraft. • Explore China's diplomatic and strategic thinking. • Gain insights into international relations and global politics. • Develop a deeper understanding of China's role in the modern world.
Recommended for: Readers interested in geopolitics, international relations, diplomacy, political history, and global affairs.
A thoughtful read for anyone who wants to understand China beyond the headlines.
Divyansh Bhatnagar Book Reviewer | Promoter | Influencer
The book invites us to look beyond headlines and understand the deeper principles that shape China's relationship with the world. It explores the importance of history, diplomacy, leadership, and strategic decision-making in understanding the Chinese state.
What makes this subject particularly interesting is the way statecraft connects historical experiences with contemporary international relations. For readers interested in geopolitics, diplomacy, and global affairs, this book offers an engaging perspective on one of the world's most influential nations.
Why Read This Book? • Understand the foundations of Chinese statecraft. • Explore China's diplomatic and strategic thinking. • Gain insights into international relations and global politics. • Develop a deeper understanding of China's role in the modern world.
Recommended for: Readers interested in geopolitics, international relations, diplomacy, political history, and global affairs.
A thoughtful read for anyone who wants to understand China beyond the headlines.
Divyansh Bhatnagar Book Reviewer | Promoter | Influencer
September 30, 2026
On China is a thoughtful and well-curated collection of essays by Jagat Mehta, offering an important perspective on China, Indian foreign policy, diplomacy, and the strategic thinking of the period.
The sections on China’s grand strategy, the Sino-Soviet split, India–China relations, and China–Pakistan relations make this a particularly useful read for anyone interested in international relations and South Asian history.
What I found especially interesting is the archival and diplomatic perspective. The essays, written in the 1960s, provide insight into how Indian policymakers and diplomats understood China during a crucial period, including the aftermath of the 1962 war.
A worthwhile addition for readers interested in history, diplomacy, geopolitics, foreign policy, and India–China relations.
The sections on China’s grand strategy, the Sino-Soviet split, India–China relations, and China–Pakistan relations make this a particularly useful read for anyone interested in international relations and South Asian history.
What I found especially interesting is the archival and diplomatic perspective. The essays, written in the 1960s, provide insight into how Indian policymakers and diplomats understood China during a crucial period, including the aftermath of the 1962 war.
A worthwhile addition for readers interested in history, diplomacy, geopolitics, foreign policy, and India–China relations.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews