Book Review: Raisina Chronicles – How India is Shaping the Future of World Diplomacy

Raisina Chronicles: India's Global Public Square

Edited by Dr. S. Jaishankar and Samir Saran

Published by Rupa Publication

Genre: International Relations

Pages: 206

MRP: Rs. 595/-

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Thank you, Rupa Publications for a Review Copy of the book,

Raisina Chronicles: India’s Global Public Square marks a milestone in India’s soft power and strategic diplomacy. Curated by S. Jaishankar and Samir Saran, the book compiles voices of world leaders, ministers, diplomats, academics, and civil society actors who have shaped—and been shaped by—the Raisina Dialogue. As India’s flagship global conference on geopolitics and geo-economics celebrates its tenth year, this volume reflects the breadth, depth, and evolution of the Dialogue. Far from being a ceremonial platform, Raisina has become a space of actionable ideas, powerful insights, and democratic global engagement.

From Concept to Chronicle

The Raisina Dialogue, initiated by the Observer Research Foundation in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs, emerged during a period of growing skepticism about globalization and multilateralism. The book’s Editors’ Note presents Raisina as a new-age agora—where multilateralism is reimagined for a multipolar world. Drawing from Indian traditions like 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' and 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas', the Dialogue promotes pluralism and shared futures. It has effectively become India’s narrative platform, influencing how the world views not just India but the larger Global South.

Themes and Tensions

Raisina Chronicles explores a wide spectrum of geopolitical and developmental themes. These include strategic partnerships in the Indo-Pacific, the future of multilateralism, global security, climate change, digital public infrastructure, and gender equity. Essays by Mette Frederiksen, Penny Wong, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, António Guterres, and others demonstrate how Raisina is uniquely situated to bridge East-West and North-South divides. Meanwhile, the inclusion of voices from Africa, Latin America, and smaller European states adds legitimacy to its claim as a truly global square.

India’s Narrative Power

The book repeatedly emphasizes India's rising role as a narrative-shaping nation. As Amrita Narlikar’s essay on 'The Bharat Way' argues, India’s example—grounded in digital inclusion, green energy, vaccine diplomacy, and development partnerships—offers a blueprint for an inclusive and sustainable globalisation. India’s handling of its G20 Presidency and Digital Public Infrastructure, as highlighted by Anirban Sarma, positions it as an innovator of global goods for the next seven billion, not just the privileged billion.

Defence, Diplomacy and Digital Dialogue

Strategic partnerships dominate a substantial portion of the volume. Contributions by defense leaders from Australia, Japan, the UK, and the US reflect how Raisina has matured into a platform for real policy articulation. From discussions on Indo-Pacific maritime security to military modernization and cybersecurity, the book demonstrates Raisina’s growing relevance in hard power discussions. Yet, it also retains its soft power edge—celebrating democracy, inclusion, and the rise of the Global South.

A Platform for the Future

What makes Raisina unique is its blending of state and civil society. Unlike traditional diplomatic conferences, it brings together students, technocrats, business leaders, and journalists alongside prime ministers and generals. Its inclusivity extends to gender, geography, and generation—exemplified by the Raisina Young Fellows Programme. This layered, democratized discourse is the kind the 21st century needs.

Criticism and Caveats

While the book succeeds in highlighting Raisina’s achievements, it sometimes borders on self-congratulatory. Greater space could have been given to critique—both of India’s foreign policy decisions and of the global power structures Raisina seeks to reform. There is a need for deeper engagement with dissenting voices from civil society, particularly from conflict zones and marginalised regions.

Conclusion

Raisina Chronicles is a rich, compelling, and necessary record of a diplomatic experiment that has exceeded expectations. In a world that increasingly turns to walls instead of windows, Raisina reminds us of the timeless power of dialogue. As India emerges as a leading voice of the Global South, the Raisina Dialogue—and this book chronicling its journey—offers hope for a more inclusive and reasoned global future.

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