This book examines how India was placed and placed itself in the world during the first half of the 20th century in a period of global turmoil and set against the subcontinental contest for independence. In situating India in the world, it looks not just at current foreign policy studies, but also at geopolitics, World War experiences, theoretical and strategic approaches, early foreign policy institutional transitions and the role of Indian civil and foreign diplomatic services. The work explores history and theory with a focus on cosmopolitanism beyond nationalism.

The use of extensive sources from archives in UK and Russia — especially in different languages, mainly German and Russian — lends this volume an edge over most other works. The book will be useful to professional academics, historians including military historians, security specialists, literary specialists, foreign policy experts, journalists and the general reader interested in international issues.