In his seminal work, “India: A Wounded Civilization,” the esteemed author V.S. Naipaul remarked, “Indian journalism developed no reporting tradition; it often reported on India as on a foreign country.” This statement reflects his criticism of the absence of an authentic Indian perspective in the media. Across various domains of social sciences, the Western narrative has predominantly shaped the discourse, and India has yet to fully transcend this dependency. Furthermore, the normative frameworks that influence geopolitics are seldom centred on India. Dhruva Jaishankar’s book, “Vishwa Shastra,” represents a genuine effort to address this gap. As he articulates, “Outsiders have often sought to interpret India, but with rare exceptions, such works often impose their own lenses.” His book seeks to modernize India’s strategic lexicon by providing a fundamental overview of India and its global context. It presents a formal and systematic analysis that examines geopolitical developments, particularly focusing on India’s rise and the historical progression of its political identity.
Historical Foundations: India’s Strategic Legacy
Vishwa Shastra, or a treatise on the world is divided into two sections: Itihasa (history) & Rashtriya neeti (strategy). It starts with an examination of India’s international relations prior to its independence, a topic that is frequently neglected. The impact of this pre-independence history continues to shape various elements of India’s strategic discussions in contemporary times. The author references Vedic texts, Puranas, Jain and Buddhist literature, as well as works such as Arthashastra and Manusmriti, to demonstrate the sophisticated statecraft that existed in ancient India.
The text discusses India’s considerable interactions with the eastern and southern regions. In addition to the powerful Chola dynasty, various Indian rulers also explored Sri Lanka, as demonstrated by the Indian cultural influences present in Southeast Asia. The author subsequently analyses the emergence of Islam during the medieval period and its overall impact on India. Contrary to common perceptions, the Mughals, the Ottoman Caliphs, and the Safavids in Persia experienced their own rivalries. The author characterizes these entities as “gunpowder empires” due to their military prowess. The book further explores themes related to the confederacies and generals of medieval regions such as Awadh, Punjab, Bengal, Malwa, and the Marathas. It examines the arrival of European powers, the establishment of British rule in India, and the enduring effects of these developments on the subcontinent. Dhruva criticizes the ambiguous and problematic nature of British agreements, asserting that they have played a significant role in the boundary issues that India continues to confront today.
India’s Strategic Choices In The Post-Independence Era
Post-independence, India opted for a non-aligned stance, distancing itself from major power blocs. This strategic choice allowed the nation to reap benefits from both the US-led and Soviet-led factions, while also positioning India as a natural leader among post-colonial nations. The author notes that prominent figures such as Patel, Ambedkar, and JB Kripalani expressed concerns regarding non-alignment. In a speech delivered in 1951, Ambedkar articulated his worries about the country’s foreign policy, stating, “the cause for my anxiety is the foreign policy of the country. We have alienated ourselves.” These concerns were rooted in empirical evidence; for instance, in 1947, India declined American aid for dam construction, as Nehru preferred to limit machinery usage to create more employment opportunities. Additionally, India rejected a friendship treaty with the United States. It was only after Stalin’s death in 1953 that India began to strengthen its ties with the USSR. Dhruva provides an in-depth analysis of the defeat suffered by India at the hands of China in 1962, attributing this setback to Nehru’s idealistic views of China. The author asserts, “One of India’s fundamental errors was its misreading of China’s domestic politics, its ideological imperatives, and the international environment.”
Regional Assertiveness And Foreign Policy Shifts (1971–1991)
The book delves into India’s interventions in its neighboring countries and its strategic alignments as it transitioned into the third phase of its foreign policy from 1971 to 1991, characterized by a more assertive regional stance. Notably, India played a crucial role in the liberation of Bangladesh and became involved in the Sri Lankan civil war, which ultimately proved to be a miscalculation. Another instance of regional assertiveness was Operation Cactus in 1988, during which Indian troops were deployed to the Maldives to protect the president. In response to the growing US-Pakistan-China nexus, India strengthened its relationship with the USSR by signing a friendship treaty. The book thoroughly examines the factors that led to India’s economic liberalization in 1991, highlighting the Gulf War, the disintegration of the USSR, and India’s efforts to move beyond the limitations of outdated non-alignment policies as key influences.
Rashtriya Neeti: A Strategy For The Future
The second section of the book, titled “Rashtriya Neeti” (statecraft), outlines a strategy aimed at enhancing India’s global standing. Dhruva asserts that globalization alone cannot resolve all the challenges confronting India. He astutely points out India’s power paradox, wherein the nation possesses both a developing economy and the attributes of a major power. Drawing lessons from various successful nations, the book warns against a complete inward focus, advocating instead for proactive engagement in international affairs. The author highlights 14 key points that could serve as force multipliers for India, including military readiness, the implementation of an industrial policy, prioritizing regional relationships, enhancing assistance and connectivity, securing the Indian Ocean, fostering connections with Southeast Asia, collaborating with the Quad and other partners, managing competition with China, addressing issues with Pakistan, engaging with Afghanistan, reshaping dynamics in the Middle East, revitalizing multilateral institutions, forming new coalitions, and amplifying the voice of the Global South. The author notes that many of these initiatives are already in progress. He pragmatically notes that unless China fundamentally alters its approach to international relations, New Delhi must remain prepared for a significantly more competitive relationship with China.
A Comprehensive And Insightful Read
Vishwa Shastra is a remarkable work that elucidates, analyses, and summarizes the events that have influenced both Indian and global dynamics. The author demonstrates a profound comprehension of Indian history and the significant legacy it contributes to the world. This book serves as an essential resource for anyone interested in international relations, including students, academics, civil service aspirants, and general readers eager to understand India’s position in the evolving global landscape. Dhruva presents incisive arguments supported by reliable sources, providing a comprehensive overview of Indian foreign policy. Examine it for its factual and objective examination, free from any ideological bias, encouraging readers to reflect without preconceived notions. Dhruva’s book is an engaging read that captivates attention.
Kanishk Shekhar is a columnist and also teaches students preparing for Civil Services Exam
Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.