The book argues that even though the cold war had created a bi-polar world, it was at best a diffused bipolarity with countries like India staying non-aligned and China following an 'independent' foreign policy. In the post-Cold War scenario, considering the complex and subtle changing international security scenario, the book proposes that India must avoid sliding into any neo-alliances with one side or the other. Since we are in a world which is still in transition, our security policy should accord highest priority to the pursuit of the goal of "Comprehensive National Development" with an unwavering focus on our own people because 'power is the means to an end and not an end in itself.' An insightful and discerning reading of the complex security scenario of India by one of the most eminent national security experts of our times.
Air Commodore Jasjit Singh, AVSM VrC VM, awarded the Padma Bhushan for a lifetime's contribution to defence and strategic affairs, is Director, Centre for Air Power Studies, an independent think-tank in New Delhi. He served with great distinction in the Indian Air Force as a fighter pilot and was Flight Commander of a fighter squadron in the 1971 War when he was awarded the Vir Chakra for gallantry in the face of the enemy. He later commanded a MiG-21 squadron and served as Director of Flight Safety and subsequently as Director of Operations at Air HQ before being deputed to the Institute for Defence Studies and Analysis (IDSA), India's premier think-tank on strategic and security issues, which he headed for 14 years. During the past quarter century, he has lectured at Defence and War Colleges in India and abroad on strategic and security issues. He is the author of a large number of books including Air Power in Modern Warfare (1985), India's Defence Spending (2001), Defence From the Skies (2007), The Icon: Marshal of the IAF Arjan Singh (2009), Indian Aircraft Industry (2011) besides being a contributor to, and editor of, over three dozen books. He was the convener of the Task Force to set up an National Security Council in April 1998 and later a member of the National Security Advisory Board from 1999-2001.