A Call to Honour

by Jaswant Singh

In Service of Emergent India is an evocative account about a crucial period in India's history. After the passing of the Nehruvian era of conservative socialism and non-alignment in international relations, India went on to redefine its character and goals in accordance with the demands of a post Cold War world

Genres: India, History, Nonfiction

583 pages, Kindle Edition

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.