Who of the following is the author of the books “The India Way” and “Why Bharat Matters”?

Updated 11 Apr 2026 · From UPSC Prelims GS Paper I 2024, Q99

Contents7
UPSC Prelims GS2024World Affairs (International Relations)
  1. ABhupendra Yadav
  2. BNalin Mehta
  3. CShashi Tharoor
  4. DSubrahmanyam Jaishankar
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Answer: (D) Subrahmanyam Jaishankar

Correct Answer: (d) S. Jaishankar.

Dr. S. Jaishankar, India's External Affairs Minister, is the author of both books.

'The India Way: Strategies for an Uncertain World' discusses India's foreign policy from a diplomat's perspective, while 'Why Bharat Matters' (2024) focuses on India's growing role on the global stage.

He is a career diplomat with four decades of experience before entering politics.

Why this was asked

S. Jaishankar published 'Why Bharat Matters' in 2024, making his authorship a current affairs topic for the 2024 exam.

As External Affairs Minister, Jaishankar's books directly reflect India's official foreign policy thinking and strategic outlook.

S. Jaishankar: Books & Diplomatic Career

World Affairs (International Relations) The India Way Why Bharat Matters Subrahmanyam Jaishankar

S. Jaishankar: Key Books & Diplomatic Background

Must know

S. Jaishankar authored both 'The India Way' (2020) and 'Why Bharat Matters' (2024)

Current External Affairs Minister since 2019, former career diplomat with 40+ years experience

Good to know

Both books focus on India's foreign policy and global role from a practitioner's perspective

Context

Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar is India's current External Affairs Minister and a distinguished diplomat-turned-politician. His books represent authoritative insights into India's foreign policy from someone who has shaped it at the highest levels.

Jaishankar's Key Books

Book Title

Publication Year

Core Theme

Key Focus

The India Way: Strategies for an Uncertain World

2020

India's foreign policy approach

Multi-alignment, strategic autonomy, post-COVID world order

Why Bharat Matters

2024

India's rising global significance

Economic growth, demographic dividend, cultural influence, geopolitical importance

Diplomatic Career Highlights

Served as Foreign Secretary (2015-2018), India's top diplomatic position

Ambassador to China (2009-2013) and United States (2013-2015)

Key architect of India's Act East Policy and Indo-Pacific strategy

Instrumental in India-US civil nuclear deal negotiations during UPA era

Exam traps

Don't confuse with Shashi Tharoor, another diplomat-author who wrote different foreign policy books

Bhupendra Yadav is Environment Minister, not associated with foreign policy literature

Nalin Mehta is a journalist-author but not the author of these specific India foreign policy books

Other Indian Diplomat-Authors

World Affairs (International Relations) Shashi Tharoor

Prominent Indian Diplomat-Authors & Their Works

Must know

Shashi Tharoor is another prominent diplomat-turned-politician and prolific author

Good to know

Multiple Indian diplomats have written influential books on foreign policy and international relations

Context

India has produced several diplomat-authors who have written extensively on foreign policy, international relations, and India's global role. Understanding their different perspectives helps distinguish their contributions.

Key Diplomat-Authors Comparison

Author

Diplomatic Background

Notable Books

Current Role

S. Jaishankar

Foreign Secretary, Ambassador to China & US

The India Way, Why Bharat Matters

External Affairs Minister

Shashi Tharoor

UN Under-Secretary-General, diplomat

The Great Indian Novel, An Era of Darkness, Why I Am a Hindu

Lok Sabha MP, Congress leader

Shivshankar Menon

Former National Security Advisor, Foreign Secretary

Choices: Inside the Making of India's Foreign Policy

Strategic affairs commentator

Nirupama Rao

Former Foreign Secretary, Ambassador to China & US

The Fractured Himalayas (co-author)

Strategic affairs expert

Exam traps

Tharoor's books focus more on history, culture, and politics rather than pure foreign policy strategy

Don't assume all diplomat-authors write only about foreign policy - many diversify into history, fiction, and cultural commentary

Current ministerial positions can be a clue - Jaishankar as EAM naturally writes on foreign policy