A Diplomat's DiaryBy T.N. Kaul MacmillanPrice:Rs 345;Pages:273Diplomat, bon vivant, adviser to prime ministers, gentleman farmer and author T.N. Kaul's last book is being reviewed here.A Diplomat's Diary was supposed to be released in mid-February. Three weeks before that Kaul died, following a sudden heart attack. This is Kaul's 10th book. The major portion is devoted to the author's postings in China and his perceptions about China's policies. The subtitle, The Tantalising Triangle, China, India and USA, conveyed the impression that the book would be an analysis of the prospects of relationships between the three countries through the prism of Kaul's political and diplomatic experience. In many ways his was a unique career. He had served in China as deputy chief of mission and had dealt with China as foreign secretary, while he was ambassador to the US for nearly three and a half years between 1973 and 1976. The book is a bit of a disappointment in this respect because except for chapter 20, titled "The Tantalising Triangle, China, India and USA" - which deals with undercurrents of policies influencing India's relationships with the US and China - the rest of the book does not cover the main theme. Even this chapter is more descriptive than analytical.Jawaharlal Nehru and T.N. Kaul: Panchsheel and other memoriesThe chapters dealing with China in terms of Kaul's personal experience and contacts with the Chinese are the most valuable portion of the book. Without doubt there are better researched and more scholarly works on China, but Kaul's contribution is significant in that his assessment is not based on secondary sources but on personal experience.Chapters 9 and 14 discuss the finalisation of the Panchsheel Agreement and the missed opportunities in resolving the emerging boundary dispute, the Sino-Indian conflict in 1962, the Cultural Revolution in China and developments there in the aftermath of Mao Zedong's death. They provide insight that would normally not be available in academic works.Chapter 17 ruminates on India and the world from an Indo-centric point of view. It is of particular contemporaneous relevance. The section dealing with the UN reforms and the author's views on terrorism and Islamic extremism are precise in articulating India's concerns.Two portions of the book would normally not attract the attention of scholars. In Chapter 2 ("A Chance Meeting") Kaul refers to his meeting with a young Chinese woman Li Na..preferred-source-banner{ margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom:10px;} In my early years in the foreign service, one had heard about a deep attachment between Kaul sahib and a Chinese girl during his first posting in Beijing. Is this chapter perchance a sensitive and nostalgic reference to a cherished memory? He does couch the encounter in terms of the socio-political objective of understanding China. The second portion is appendix 2, a summary of a speech the author made in 1998. He has touched upon exchanges between Jawaharlal Nehru and Chou-En-lai in a manner only he could have. He knew both leaders personally and was witness to their discussions. Kaul sahib phoned me on January 12 informing me about the release of this book and asked I be one of the panelists who should speak on the occasion. Having served under him twice and seeing him as a mentor and guru, I readily agreed. On January 16, Kaul sahib was gone. He leaves behind a book that is not scholarly or heavy in research - but is certainly a relevant and easy read for those curious about the manner in which India has adjusted to its complex world over 50 years.Published By: AtMigration Published On: Mar 20, 2000--- ENDS ---
