This is my personal website.
After 35 rewarding years in the Indian Foreign Service, I now teach, in traditional classes, and via e-learning programs, and I am an author. I have written eleven books and am working on one more.
My wife Mimi and I make our home in Delhi, with a toehold at the hill resort, Mt. Abu, where we have a holiday home. We have a son and a daughter, both very talented, a high-flyer daughter-in-law, and two splendid grandchildren, young adults forging ahead in their lives.
Conscientiously perform good actions without attachment;
thus one attains the Supreme
Bhagwad Gita
Chapter III, Verse 19
Dear Ambassador Rana,
I am a journalist based in Berlin and New York, co-founder of the not-for-profit International Press Syndicate Group (http://www.international-press-syndicate.org/) which has IDN-InDepthNews (http://www.indepthnews.net/) as its flagship agency.
We have come across your stimulating article in the Business Standard online of Feb. 25: ‘Why India needs smart diplomacy’ stressing: “The country’s diplomatic machinery should have more resources for proactive external engagement.”
We do not have access to the full article. I was wondering whether you as the author could send us the full text for personal reading, if not for reproducing with due acknowledgement. Beyond that, we would feel privileged to carry your thought provoking articles from time to time.
Looking forward to your positive response.
Warm wishes and regards.
Sincerely
Ramesh Jaura
Many thanks, Ramesh.
I don’t have a PDF or full text of the published version, but here is the original article sent as a PDF file.
You are welcome to use it as you wish — I am sure Business Standard would not have any objection after this time.
Best wishes,
Kishan
Dear Ramesh:
It was nice to read your name this morning.
We have been out of touch for quite some while.
Time to catch up.
Hope you and your wife are fine.
I too am doing reasonably well.
Do you keep visiting India as you used to?
It would be nice to meet when you are next here.
Look forward to hearing from you.
Best.
Mohan K Tikku
Dear Prof Rana
I am Dr Dalbir Ahlawat, currently teaching at the Department of Security Studies and Criminology at Macquarie University, Australia. I research and write on the security and strategic affairs in the Indo-pacific region. The soft power concept is new to me.
It was great pleasure to read your chapter entitled: India and China: Soft power in an Asian context, published in The Routledge Handbook of Soft Power. This is an interesting article that clearly delineates the soft power dynamics of both the countries. This gives me other side of the Indo-Chinese relations.
Look forward to read more of your writings.
Regards
Dalbir
Dalbir, my apologies for such a very delayed response to your kind comments. You may like to see my 2016 memoir, “Diplomacy at the Cutting Edge”, now available for free download at: https://www.diplomacy.edu/resources/books/diplomacy-cutting-edge
I have also recorded a series of YouTube videos, which currently number 20, under the series title: ‘KSR: DIplomacy Diary’. That may be of interest, as the focus is on the practice of diplomacy. Thanks and good wishes, Kishan
Dear Kishankaka,
Many congratulations on your acomplishments and the best wishes for the days ahead.
Sincerely,
-Janak and Ila Jadeja-
Very many thanks, Janak and Ila — and apologies for this delayed reply.
You may like to see my 2016 memoir, “Diplomacy at the Cutting Edge”, now available for free download at: https://www.diplomacy.edu/resources/books/diplomacy-cutting-edge
I have also recorded a series of YouTube videos, which currently number 20, under the series title: ‘KSR: DIplomacy Diary’. That may be of interest, as the focus is on the practice of diplomacy.
Keep well and love to the family. Thanks and good wishes, Kishan
Remembering & Re-connecting with you after over two decades. We in Germany, miss you a lot.
Many thanks, Mohan. I remember you well and hope you are in good form.
You may like to see my 2016 memoir, “Diplomacy at the Cutting Edge”, now available for free download at: https://www.diplomacy.edu/resources/books/diplomacy-cutting-edge
I have also recorded a series of YouTube videos, which currently number 20, under the series title: ‘KSR: DIplomacy Diary’. That may be of interest, as the focus is on the practice of diplomacy.
Keep well and do the good work.
Thanks and good wishes, Kishan
Your “The Contemporary Embassy” book was in a Interesting point of view from Indian because a lot of the examples and history come from American embassies and American diplomatic viewpoints. Nice to know that the author, an Indian diplomats himself, views American embassy life as an elite model being the mature and prolific.
Many thanks, Deepa, and apologies for this late response.
Much appreciate your kind response.
Kishan
Hi sir..
I am a second year B.A student who is currently pursuing my degree course at college
I aspire to become a diplomat
Could u please give me your guidance , as to how I should go about … what best I could pick to get closer to my goal, that’s to become a diplomat….. Thanks in advance sir :)
You ask a seemingly difficult question, but the method is to prepare for the UPSC Exam, and prepare well.
The exam is tough, with very many competing for the 30 or 40 positions available each year. So it is also a matter of chance. Lots of career guide books are avilable.
You may like to see my 2016 memoir, “Diplomacy at the Cutting Edge”, now available for free download at: https://www.diplomacy.edu/resources/books/diplomacy-cutting-edge
I have also recorded a series of YouTube videos, which currently number 20, under the series title: ‘KSR: DIplomacy Diary’. That may be of interest, as the focus is on the practice of diplomacy.
Books and other guides have to be internalized and one has to grasp the essentials, in one’s own way.
And one should always have a Plan B, and a Plan C as well.
Best of luck!
Thanks and good wishes, Kishan
Very kind, Dr. Deepa.
My focus is on the practice of diplomacy. But I would not say that much of my writing comes from the US perspective.
In a way the Q you raise is relevant. When my first book ‘Inside Diplomacy’ a review said that it does not present an Indian way of diplomacy practice. For me the key point is that the practice of diplomacy is interanational, and while there can be variations, the methods used are broadly similar around the world.
You may like to see my 2016 memoir, “Diplomacy at the Cutting Edge”, now available for free download at: https://www.diplomacy.edu/resources/books/diplomacy-cutting-edge
I have also recorded a series of YouTube videos, which currently number 20, under the series title: ‘KSR: DIplomacy Diary’. That may be of interest, as the focus is on the practice of diplomacy.
Thanks and good wishes, Kishan
Hi Sir,
My name is Rishabh Nair and I am an alumni of RKC Rajkot. Currently studying at Christ University’s off campus in Pune. Sir I am thinking to put my career ahead in IFS so I request you if you can help me out in guiding me as I am very excited to be a part of Indias Foreign diplomacy group.
Hoping a great and positive reply sir
thank you
Many thanks Rishab. I am glad you are interested in a career in the foreign service. It is good that you have an interest in international affairs.
As you know, the selection is made by the UPSC. The process is complex and very demanding. No one can be certain of success. Therefore, my advice to anyone interested in this career is to have One or more alternate plans. You also need to look at the different career guide books that are available. It is usual now for potential candidates to join coaching classes.
You are welcome to contact me directly by email. Best wishes, Kishan.