India’s Military Conflicts and Diplomacy: An Inside View of Decision Making

Historian-diplomat George Kennan once said, ‘You have no idea how much it contributes to general politeness when you have a quiet, little force in the background’.1 This statement succinctly sums up the role of defence in the foreign policy of a country. In the book India’s Military Conflicts and Diplomacy: An Inside View of Decision Making, General V.P. Malik postulates this statement through India’s experience with military diplomacy during his tenure. The author provides a comprehensive account of the major operations of the Indian Army and India’s military ties with its neighbours that have defined its international posture.