Walking with Lions: Tales from a Diplomatic Past

Walking with Lions collects the diplomatic experiences and encounters of K. Natwar Singh during his career as an Indian Foreign Service officer and politician. The memoir spans several decades of international relations, with Singh's interactions ranging from world leaders to cultural figures across continents. The book presents a series of standalone episodes and meetings, including conversations with Indira Gandhi, E.M. Forster, Lord Mountbatten, and various heads of state. Singh's position granted him access to pivotal moments in Indian diplomatic history, from independence to India's emergence as a global power. The title stems from Singh's experiences in Africa, where he served as High Commissioner to Zambia in the 1960s and encountered both political revolutionaries and wildlife. His accounts cover postings and missions across Europe, Asia, and Africa, detailing the mechanics of diplomacy and statecraft. The memoir offers insights into the personal dimensions of international relations and the role of individual personalities in shaping diplomatic outcomes. Through these collected experiences, Singh illustrates how relationships between nations often rest on human connections and cultural understanding.

Readers describe this book as a collection of diplomatic anecdotes and personal encounters from Singh's foreign service career. They note it provides behind-the-scenes glimpses into meetings with world leaders and cultural figures like E.M. Forster and Indira Gandhi. Readers appreciated: - First-hand accounts of diplomatic negotiations - Historical context for India-UK relations - Writing style that balances formality with humor - Personal stories about notable figures Main criticisms: - Too much name-dropping - Some anecdotes feel superficial - Limited coverage of major political events - Focus on social interactions rather than policy substance Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (32 ratings) Amazon India: 4.2/5 (18 ratings) Notable reader comment: "Singh excels at describing personalities but skims over the deeper implications of diplomatic decisions." - Goodreads reviewer The book has limited reviews online, with most feedback coming from Indian readers and diplomatic history enthusiasts.

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🌟 K. Natwar Singh served as India's Minister of External Affairs and had a 31-year career in the Indian Foreign Service, giving him firsthand experience with many of the diplomatic stories he shares in the book 🌟 The author had personal encounters with notable figures like E.M. Forster, C. Rajagopalachari, Lord Mountbatten, and Indira Gandhi, which he describes in vivid detail throughout the memoir 🌟 The book's title comes from Singh's experience in Kenya, where he quite literally walked with lions alongside famous conservationist Joy Adamson of "Born Free" fame 🌟 Singh studied at Cambridge University under renowned philosophers like Ludwig Wittgenstein and Bertrand Russell, experiences that influenced his diplomatic worldview and writing style 🌟 The memoir covers crucial periods in Indian diplomatic history, including the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971 and India's evolving relationship with the Soviet Union during the Cold War