The Promise of India How Prime Minister Nehru to Modi Shaped the Nation

On 15 August 1947 most Indians had stars in their eyes as they looked ahead to a glorious future as a free country. In this first-of-its-kind book Jaimini Bhagwati analyses the key political foreign policy and economic decisions of all the premiers from Jawaharlal Nehru to Narendra Modi to understand how well they steered the nation on the path of progress and development. With his long experience in the corridors of power Bhagwati reveals fascinating behind-the-scenes events and offers fresh insights into each PM's governance. For instance Nehru considered a 'socialist' by some in fact acted according to the prevailing wisdom of highly regarded economists why P.V. Narasimha Rao has not received adequate credit for heralding economic reforms how Atal Bihari Vajpayee followed in the footsteps of Nehru and Rao and how and why Modi focused on the delivery of basics to the poor. Using a novel framework Bhagwati also assesses the PMs on the values of Character Competence and Charisma to measure their impact on India's story.Grand in sweep and thoroughly researched this deeply engaging book sheds new light on independent India's history. As it critically examines whether our leaders always put the country first The Promise of India provides an incisive overview of India's political culture and what keeps its democracy ticking. Review Bhagwati's book is refreshingly frank and fair. It is a magisterial effort . . . a must-read for the young and seasoned alike! -- Nandan NilekaniA thoughtful and nuanced consideration of India's economic and foreign policies since Independence . . . By using the prism of Indian prime ministers this book makes great and significant issues accessible [to all] -- Shivshankar MenonProvides a bridge between news headlines and the reality of behind-the-scenes public policymaking . . . This timely book is a fascinating insider's account . . . ThePromise of India is unique in its sweep [and] is a must-read -- Dr Y.V. ReddyAn extraordinarily extensive birds-eye survey of our post-Independence evolution. . . . The number of facts cited bears witness to Bhagwati's range of knowledge all brought in with an admirable sense of values and lightness of touch -- K.S. BajpaiA fascinating history of post-Independence India told with originality through studies of each prime minister -- Mark TullyA unique compendium of political and economic history . . . To truly understand India's progress over the years Bhagwati's book is a must-read -- Deepak Parekh About the Author Jaimini Bhagwati is a former IFS officer economist and foreign policy expert. He was high commissioner to the UK and ambassador to the European Union Belgium and Luxembourg. Bhagwati has served in senior positions in the Government of India including in foreign affairs finance and atomic energy. In the World Bank he was a specialist in international bond and derivatives markets he was the RBI chair professor at ICRIER and is a Board member of IDFC's holding company. Bhagwati did his master's in physics from St Stephen's College Delhi master's in finance from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology USA and received his PhD in finance from Tufts University USA. He has published research papers in several books ICRIER and at the World Bank. He has been a columnist for Business Standard since 2005.