Ambassador Fabian looks at India's diplomatic track record in a refreshingly original way. He digs deep into the roots and finds Hanuman was the first Indian ambassador. India has been more textual than contextual in her assessment of men and matters. Too much importance was attached to the written or spoken word. Not enough importance was given to the intentions, motivations, capabilities, and track record of the interlocutor. China and Pakistan are 'natural enemies' as Chanakya would have put it. There is no way India can charm them out of their enmity in the next five to ten years.

Looking at the big picture, the author makes out a case for a large-scale Us military presence in East Asia as counterweight to China's growing power. Such military presence will act as a restraint on china at the border with India. Should China turn more and more aggressive, it might be necessary to consider a military alliance with US. Indira Gandhi's decision in 1971 to invoke the Soviet Union as an effective counter-weight to China and US showed a Chanakyan understanding of international relations. India has, on the whole, failed to take Chanakya seriously.