About the Book
The decade between the 2008 global financial crisis and the 2020 coronavirus pandemic reshaped the rules of international relations, and in The India Way, S. Jaishankar — India’s Minister of External Affairs and former Foreign Secretary — lays out how India should navigate this transformed world order. Drawing on a career spanning ambassadorial postings to the United States and China and his role in shaping the Indo-US civil nuclear deal, Jaishankar argues for a bolder, non-reciprocal approach to India’s neighborhood, optimal relationships with all major powers, and a global footprint that leverages India’s growing capability and its diaspora, framing this within India’s historical statecraft and civilizational tradition.
Why Readers Value This Book
- Written by a sitting Minister of External Affairs with four decades of experience in the Indian Foreign Service
- Compiled from Jaishankar’s own presentations at think tanks, corporate forums, and academic institutions
- Structured into eight thematic chapters covering India’s key strategic relationships and challenges
- Draws on historical and civilizational context, including references to the Mahabharata, to frame contemporary policy
Who Should Read The India Way
For readers interested in Indian foreign policy, international relations, and geopolitics — a valuable read for students of political science, professionals in policy and diplomacy, and general readers who want to understand India’s evolving global strategy from a leading insider’s perspective.
About the Author
S. Jaishankar has served as India’s Minister of External Affairs since 2019 and was previously India’s Foreign Secretary from 2015 to 2018. Over a four-decade career in the Indian Foreign Service, he served as India’s ambassador to China and the United States, and played a key role in the Indo-US civil nuclear deal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The India Way a political memoir or a policy book?
It’s primarily a policy and strategy book, analyzing India’s geopolitical position and choices, rather than a personal memoir.
Do I need a background in international relations to read this book?
No — it’s written to be accessible to general readers interested in geopolitics, though it also offers depth for students and professionals in the field.
Is this S. Jaishankar’s only book?
The India Way was his first book, followed by Why Bharat Matters.
What time period does The India Way cover?
It primarily analyzes the decade from the 2008 global financial crisis through the 2020 coronavirus pandemic, along with India’s foreign policy history since independence.
Specifications
| Title | The India Way: Strategies for an Uncertain World |
| Author | S. Jaishankar |
| Publisher | HarperCollins Publishers India |
| Publication Date | 18 May 2022 |
| Edition | 1st |
| Language | English |
| Binding | Paperback |
| Pages | 248 |
| ISBN-10 | 9394407219 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-9394407213 |
| Weight | 294 g |
| Dimensions | 25 x 5 x 20 cm |
| Genre | Non-Fiction / Politics & International Relations |
People Also Ask
What is S. Jaishankar’s current role?
He has served as India’s Minister of External Affairs since May 2019, having previously served as Foreign Secretary from 2015 to 2018.
Is The India Way followed by another book?
Yes — S. Jaishankar’s follow-up book is titled Why Bharat Matters.
What is the central argument of The India Way?
That India must adopt a bolder, more independent foreign policy approach — balancing relationships with major powers and its neighborhood — to become a leading global power in a transformed world order.

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