Shivshankar Menon

Shivshankar Menon is an Indian diplomat and foreign policy expert who served as National Security Advisor to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh from 2010 to 2014. He previously held several key diplomatic posts including Foreign Secretary of India, High Commissioner to Sri Lanka and Israel, and Ambassador to China. During his career spanning over four decades, Menon played pivotal roles in negotiating the Indo-US nuclear deal and managing complex bilateral relationships with Pakistan and China. His expertise in nuclear strategy, Asian security, and Indian foreign policy has made him a respected voice in international relations. Menon has authored influential books including "Choices: Inside the Making of Indian Foreign Policy" and "India and Asian Geopolitics: The Past, Present." He currently serves as a Distinguished Fellow at the Centre for Social and Economic Progress in New Delhi and holds visiting positions at various academic institutions. His analysis and writings focus particularly on the intersection of security, technology, and international relations in modern Asia. Menon continues to be an active commentator on global affairs and India's strategic interests.

Readers appreciate Menon's insider perspective on Indian foreign policy and diplomatic negotiations, drawing from his direct experience as National Security Advisor and Foreign Secretary. What readers liked: - Clear explanations of complex diplomatic situations - Detailed first-hand accounts of key foreign policy decisions - Balanced analysis of India's relationships with China and Pakistan - Practical insights into diplomatic negotiations What readers disliked: - Technical writing style can be dry for general readers - Some sections heavy on policy jargon - Limited coverage of certain diplomatic episodes Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: "Choices" - 4.1/5 from 312 ratings Amazon: "Choices" - 4.3/5 from 89 reviews Amazon: "India and Asian Geopolitics" - 4.5/5 from 42 reviews One reader noted: "Menon provides unique insights into decision-making at the highest levels" while another commented "Dense but rewarding for serious students of Indian foreign policy." Common criticism focuses on the academic tone: "Could be more accessible to non-specialist readers."

Choices: Inside the Making of India's Foreign Policy (2016) A first-hand account of five crucial decisions in Indian foreign policy, including the India-US nuclear deal and the response to the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.

India and Asian Geopolitics: The Past, Present (2021) An examination of India's role in Asian geopolitics from independence to contemporary times, analyzing key relationships with China, Pakistan, and other regional powers.

Why Neighbours Matter (2021) An analysis of India's relationships with its immediate neighboring countries and the evolution of regional diplomacy in South Asia.

Anticipating the Unintended (2020) A collection of essays addressing various aspects of Indian foreign policy, international relations, and strategic challenges in the contemporary world.

Henry Kissinger writes about international relations and diplomacy from his experience as US Secretary of State. His work covers similar themes to Menon's analysis of statecraft and strategic affairs.

Kishore Mahbubani examines Asian geopolitics and the relationship between East and West. His perspective as a former Singaporean diplomat parallels Menon's insights on Asian strategic thought.

Ashley Tellis focuses on South Asian security, India's nuclear program, and US-India relations. His research at Carnegie addresses many of the strategic issues that Menon explores in his work.

C. Raja Mohan analyzes Indian foreign policy and great power relations in Asia. His writings on India's strategic culture and diplomatic history complement Menon's insider account of Indian statecraft.

Daniel Markey writes about South Asia's geopolitics and US policy toward the region. His work on China-India relations and Pakistan's role in Asian security aligns with Menon's strategic assessments.