A Call to Honour: In Service of Emergent India

A Call to Honour is a memoir by Jaswant Singh, chronicling his experiences as India's Minister of Defense, Finance, and External Affairs during pivotal moments in the nation's history. The book covers events from 1996-2004, including the nuclear tests of 1998 and their diplomatic aftermath. Singh provides a first-hand account of crucial policy decisions and negotiations during his tenure, including India-US relations and the Kargil War. His position at the center of India's government during transformative years allows him to detail the complexities of international diplomacy and strategic defense planning. The narrative spans both domestic politics and international relations, documenting India's emergence as a nuclear power and its changing role on the global stage. Through personal observations and official records, Singh presents the strategic considerations behind India's military and diplomatic choices. The book serves as both historical record and commentary on the nature of governance, exploring themes of national security, diplomatic responsibility, and the balance between transparency and state secrets. Singh's account contributes to understanding modern India's journey toward establishing its position in global affairs.

Readers note this political memoir offers insights into India's nuclear tests, foreign policy negotiations, and Singh's time as Finance/External Affairs Minister. Some found value in the behind-the-scenes accounts of policy decisions and diplomacy during key historical moments. Liked: - Detailed accounts of international negotiations - First-hand perspective on nuclear policy development - Documentation of India-Pakistan and India-US relations Disliked: - Writing style described as "dense" and "meandering" - Some sections considered too technical for general readers - Limited personal reflections compared to policy details Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (47 ratings) Amazon India: 4.1/5 (32 ratings) Notable reader comments: "Provides rare insights into diplomatic negotiations" - Goodreads reviewer "Too focused on policy minutiae at expense of readability" - Amazon reviewer "Important historical record but challenging prose style" - Goodreads reviewer

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🔷 Jaswant Singh served as India's Minister of Defence, Minister of Finance, and Minister of External Affairs, making him uniquely qualified to write about India's defense and foreign policy decisions. 🔷 The book sparked controversy by revealing that India had a mole in Prime Minister Narasimha Rao's office who was passing information to U.S. officials during the 1990s. 🔷 Singh was expelled from the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) in 2009 after writing another book praising Muhammad Ali Jinnah, showing his willingness to challenge established political narratives. 🔷 The book provides firsthand accounts of India's nuclear tests in 1998 and the subsequent international reactions, as Singh was directly involved in managing diplomatic fallout. 🔷 Though primarily focusing on Singh's time in government (1998-2004), the book also offers valuable insights into India's transformation from a socialist economy to a market-oriented one in the 1990s.