A Fauji in Foreign Affairs
There are journeys that are defined by geography, and there T are journeys that are defined by transformation. This book is a reflection of both.
For over three decades, I lived the life of a Fauji. The uniform teaches you clarity of purpose, decisiveness in action, and an unwavering commitment to something larger than oneself. In the Army, ambiguity is a luxury one cannot afford. You are trained to read situations quickly, act with conviction, and accept responsibility without hesitation.
A Fauji does not merely serve the nation. He becomes an extension of it.
Yet, as my journey progressed beyond the demolition grounds and operational environments, I found myself entering a different theatre, one without battle lines, yet equally demanding. A world where words replaced weapons and explosives, where silence often spoke louder than statements, and where understanding mattered more than assertion.
This was the world of Foreign Affairs.
My transition into this space was not a shift away from soldiering, but an expansion of its purpose. If the Army taught me how to defend India's sovereignty, my years at the Foreign Service Institute, later the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service, taught me how India engages with the world beyond its borders.
And somewhere between these two worlds emerged a unique vantage point: that of a Fauji in Foreign Affairs.
This book is born from that vantage point.
It is not a conventional account of diplomacy. It does not dwell on treaties, negotiations, or official positions. Nor is it a memoir of ranks, appointments, or institutional milestones. Instead, it captures something far more enduring.....moments.
Moments that unfolded beyond protocol. Moments that revealed India not as a policy, but as a personality. Moments that stayed with those who came to understand her, and with me, as I began to see my own country through their eyes.
Over the years, I had the privilege of interacting with diplomats from across continents, young officers beginning their journeys, seasoned envoys representing their nations, and individuals who arrived with structured perceptions but left with something far more personal.
No to journey of reflection is ever undertaken alone.
While the words in this book are mine, the experiences that shaped them belong to many.
I begin by expressing my deep sense of gratitude to the institution that provided the space for many of these encounters, the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service (formerly the Foreign Service Institute). It is here that the world came to India in its most diverse and dynamic form, and it is here that I had the privilege of engaging with diplomats from across continents. The Institute did more than facilitate programmes; it created an environment where conversations could move beyond protocol and into understanding.
To the many diplomats, young and seasoned, who passed through those corridors, I remain sincerely grateful. Your questions, your observations, your curiosity, and often your quiet reflections helped me see my own country with renewed clarity. While your names may not appear in these pages, your presence is felt throughout them.
I owe a special word of thanks to my colleagues, mentors, and associates who, through their professionalism and support, made each engagement meaningful. Their dedication ensured that every interaction, whether formal or informal, carried both purpose and warmth.
My years in the Indian Army remain the foundation upon which this entire journey rests. The values of integrity, discipline, responsibility, and quiet professionalism that I imbibed in uniform continue to life. I remain indebted to the officers, men, and institutions of the Army who shaped my thinking, my conduct, and my sense of duty.
To my mentors, both in uniform and beyond, I offer my respectful acknowledgement. Their guidance, often given without expectation and received without immediate realisation, has left a lasting imprint on my approach to leadership and engagement. I would also like to thank the many unnamed individuals who appear, often briefly, in these narratives. The office staff, drivers, teachers, and countless others who may never see themselves as representatives of a nation, yet embody its values in the most authentic manner. This book, in many ways, belongs as much to them as it does to me.
To my parents and family, I express my deepest gratitude.
Their understanding, patience, and unwavering support have been constant, often in the background, yet always present. The time given to service and reflection is always borrowed from those closest to us, and I remain mindful of that. I also acknowledge with appreciation the encouragement and support extended by well-wishers, colleagues, and readers who believed that these experiences deserved to be documented. Their faith has been both humbling and motivating.
Finally, I place on record my gratitude to all those who, knowingly or unknowingly, contributed to this journey of observation, reflection, and writing.
If this book succeeds in conveying even a fraction of what I have learned, it is because of the people who made those lessons possible.
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