Former foreign secretary Muchkund Dubey condenses in this book his vast experience, including being at the helm at a critical time in 1990-91, his deep insights, and his thorough and informed analysis of the most salient points of Indian foreign policy. His piece de resistance is a self-contained first chapter laying out basic assumptions, strategies and upcoming challenges in a changing world. He then proceeds to expound in meticulous detail and historical context the state of relations with our neighbours, particularly Bangladesh, with its considerable promise, and with Indo-Pacific great powers US, Russia, China and Japan in a perspective of tectonic shifts. His wise counsel seems to be against simplistic one-dimensional approaches, whether they are couched in realpolitik or toe the line given by people. Instead, in chapter after chapter, he brings out profound considerations backed by facts and observable trends that inspire an autonomous, principled, and dynamic policy geared to the self-interest of the nation.