Centres of Power: My Years in the Prime Minister’s Office and Security Council by Chinmaya R. Gharekhan [Hardcover]

Delve into the decision-making at the Indian Prime Minister’s office and the UN Security Council— two crucibles of foreign policy.

What was working with Prime Minister Indira Gandhi like? Was she a difficult person to work with? Did she lose her temper or shout at the officers in her office? Was she a religious person? Did she aspire for Nobel Peace Prize? How did she deal with the pressure leading up to the armed action in the Golden Temple in June 1984? Did her son and successor Rajiv Gandhi follow his mother’s line in foreign affairs? How did his style of functioning differ from his mother’s?

From advising two Indian prime ministers—Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi—on sensitive matters of state to negotiating complex global agreements at the United Nations, Gharekhan offers a behindthe- scenes look at the inner workings of international politics.

Gharekhan’s years of experience as a top diplomat at the United Nations have given him a unique perspective on global politics, and his insights into the challenges facing the world today are both thought provoking and timely. Through his personal stories and vivid anecdotes, readers will gain a new understanding of the complexities and nuances of international relations as well as the role that diplomacy plays in shaping the course of history.

With humour and candour, the book recounts the challenges and triumphs of a career spent navigating the intricacies of diplomacy. From high-stakes negotiations with rival nations to building alliances with unlikely allies, the book provides a masterclass in the art of diplomacy.