📖 Overview
S. Jaishankar is India's Minister of External Affairs and a former diplomat who served as India's Foreign Secretary from 2015-2018. After a diplomatic career spanning over three decades, he transitioned to politics in 2019 when he was appointed to Prime Minister Modi's cabinet.
As a writer and strategic thinker, Jaishankar has authored works focused on India's foreign policy, global relations, and strategic interests. His book "The India Way: Strategies for an Uncertain World" (2020) examines India's international relationships and foreign policy approaches in the context of changing global dynamics.
Most recently, Jaishankar published "Why Bharat Matters" (2024), which explores India's growing influence and role in world affairs. Drawing from his extensive diplomatic experience, his writings analyze major geopolitical shifts and India's positioning in the evolving world order.
In addition to his books, Jaishankar is known for articulating India's foreign policy positions through academic lectures and international forums. His work typically focuses on multilateralism, strategic autonomy, and India's emergence as a leading power in a multipolar world.
👀 Reviews
Readers appreciate S. Jaishankar's insights into Indian foreign policy and geopolitics, particularly in his book "The India Way." Several reviewers note his clear explanations of complex diplomatic relationships and India's strategic positions.
Liked:
- Clear breakdown of India's diplomatic history and current challenges
- Insider perspective as former Foreign Secretary
- Analysis of India-China relations and multipolar world order
- Contemporary examples and case studies
Disliked:
- Academic/technical writing style can be dense
- Some repetition of points across chapters
- Limited discussion of domestic policy impacts
- Focus primarily on post-2014 developments
Ratings:
Goodreads: 4.4/5 (500+ ratings)
Amazon India: 4.5/5 (2,000+ ratings)
Amazon Global: 4.3/5 (200+ ratings)
One reader called it "required reading for understanding modern Indian diplomacy," while another noted it "reads more like a policy document than engaging non-fiction." Most critical reviews focused on the formal writing style rather than content.
📚 Books by S. Jaishankar
The India Way: Strategies for an Uncertain World (2020)
Analysis of India's foreign policy challenges and strategic responses in a changing global order, drawing from the author's diplomatic experience and examining key international relationships.
Why Bharat Matters (2024) Examination of India's evolving role in global affairs, exploring the country's growing influence, strategic priorities, and significance in shaping contemporary international relations.
Why Bharat Matters (2024) Examination of India's evolving role in global affairs, exploring the country's growing influence, strategic priorities, and significance in shaping contemporary international relations.
👥 Similar authors
Henry Kissinger wrote extensively on diplomacy and international relations from his experience as US Secretary of State, offering insights into great power politics and strategic decision-making. His works like "World Order" and "Diplomacy" examine similar themes of global power dynamics and strategic autonomy that Jaishankar explores.
Shivshankar Menon served as India's Foreign Secretary and National Security Advisor, writing about Indian foreign policy and Asian security from a practitioner's perspective. His book "Choices: Inside the Making of India's Foreign Policy" provides firsthand accounts of crucial diplomatic decisions similar to Jaishankar's analytical approach.
Kishore Mahbubani analyzes Asia's rise and changing global power dynamics from his experience as Singapore's former UN ambassador and foreign policy expert. His works focus on the shift of power from West to East and Asia's growing role in world affairs, complementing Jaishankar's perspectives on India's position in the changing world order.
Shyam Saran draws from his experience as India's Foreign Secretary to write about India's foreign policy challenges and strategic culture. His book "How India Sees the World" examines India's relationships with major powers and neighbors, offering analysis similar to Jaishankar's work.
C. Raja Mohan writes extensively on Indian foreign policy and strategic affairs as an academic and columnist. His works analyze India's strategic relationships and role in global politics, providing detailed examination of themes that align with Jaishankar's focus on India's international positioning.
Shivshankar Menon served as India's Foreign Secretary and National Security Advisor, writing about Indian foreign policy and Asian security from a practitioner's perspective. His book "Choices: Inside the Making of India's Foreign Policy" provides firsthand accounts of crucial diplomatic decisions similar to Jaishankar's analytical approach.
Kishore Mahbubani analyzes Asia's rise and changing global power dynamics from his experience as Singapore's former UN ambassador and foreign policy expert. His works focus on the shift of power from West to East and Asia's growing role in world affairs, complementing Jaishankar's perspectives on India's position in the changing world order.
Shyam Saran draws from his experience as India's Foreign Secretary to write about India's foreign policy challenges and strategic culture. His book "How India Sees the World" examines India's relationships with major powers and neighbors, offering analysis similar to Jaishankar's work.
C. Raja Mohan writes extensively on Indian foreign policy and strategic affairs as an academic and columnist. His works analyze India's strategic relationships and role in global politics, providing detailed examination of themes that align with Jaishankar's focus on India's international positioning.