Does the Elephant Dance? Contemporary Indian Foreign Policy by David M. Malone is a comprehensive and authoritative exploration of India’s evolving role on the world stage. Written by a seasoned diplomat and scholar, this influential book offers a deep, balanced, and insightful examination of how India’s foreign policy has developed since independence—and how it continues to adapt to the challenges of globalization, regional security, and great-power politics.

Malone analyzes the complex interplay of history, geography, domestic politics, and economic priorities that shape India’s external relations. Drawing on extensive research and first-hand diplomatic experience, he explores India’s relations with major powers such as the United States, China, and Russia, as well as its interactions with neighbors like Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal, and its engagement with multilateral institutions like the United Nations.

Written in clear, accessible language, the book avoids ideological bias and provides a realistic portrait of India as an emerging global power—an “elephant” that moves deliberately, balancing its internal development with international aspirations. Malone also delves into the continuities and contradictions of Indian diplomacy, from Nehru’s idealism to contemporary pragmatism.

Does the Elephant Dance? stands as one of the most definitive works on Indian foreign policy, widely used in academia, policymaking, and diplomatic circles. It’s essential reading for students of international relations, political science, and modern Indian history, as well as for anyone seeking to understand how India sees the world—and how the world sees India.

PUBLISHER: OXFORD PRESS OXFORD INDIA PAPERBACKS

BINDING: PAPER BACK

LANGUAGE: ENGLISH

PAGES: 425