Diplomacy: theory and history Vol.1

Diplomacy as a subject has been little discussed in our country although an Indian of the name of Kautilya had laid down certain laws for dealing with nations which are considered to be valid, in their essentials, even today. Kautilya, a contemporary of Aristotle has been discussed in details both in India and abroad; but on account of India's inability to follow a course of independent foreign policy until recently, discussions of diplomacy and diplomatic practices have remained so far merely academic. India's attainment of independence in 1947 and the creation of the Ministry of External Affairs made it possible for our country to act and think diplomatically and we did have some outstanding diplomats in the quarter century since we became free. India has also set on a course in foreign affairs that has received much support and as one of the leading members of non-aligned countries, India's contribution to diplomatic thinking has been quite substantial. In view of the increasing importance of Indian diplomacy in the affairs of the world, and because our country is posed for newer experiences in the field of diplomacy, it is of great importance that we should know more about the diplomatic process and its history.