PM Modi Cites Bruce Riedel’s Book to Counter Opposition on China Border Row

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged Members of Parliament to read JFK’s Forgotten Crisis, a book by U.S. foreign policy expert Bruce Riedel.

The suggestion was made during a discussion in the Lok Sabha as the Prime Minister countered criticism from the Opposition regarding the government’s handling of the India-China border issue.

The reference to the book came as a response to Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav, who had raised concerns about India’s territorial integrity.

“If someone is really interested in foreign policy… they should read ‘JFK’s Forgotten Crisis’,” PM Modi stated.

He went on to explain that the book sheds light on India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s interactions with U.S. President John F. Kennedy during a crisis situation, illustrating “what games were played in the name of foreign policy.”

Rahul Gandhi’s Allegations and Modi’s Response

Rahul Gandhi had earlier questioned the government over reports suggesting that India had lost over 4,000 square kilometers of territory to China.

“The PM denied it, but the Army contradicted him… China is sitting on 4,000 sq km of our territory,” he claimed in the House, sparking protests from the BJP. PM Modi’s remarks came as a rebuttal to these allegations, highlighting historical references from Riedel’s book.

Shashi Tharoor Questions Modi’s Reference

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor expressed confusion over PM Modi’s reference to the book. “I could not understand why the Prime Minister mentioned this book… what did it have to do with the discussion on the President’s speech?” he remarked.

Tharoor, who had read Riedel’s book years ago, pointed out that it details how the United States secretly assisted India during the 1962 Sino-Indian War and that Nehru had sought help due to India’s weakened position in the conflict.

Insights from JFK’s Forgotten Crisis

PM Modi’s recommendation of the book suggests that it contains key insights into India’s foreign policy under Nehru, particularly in relation to China.

According to Riedel, Nehru miscalculated the likelihood of armed conflict, leading to India being unprepared for the 1962 war.

The book also details Nehru’s diplomatic exchanges with JFK, highlighting how the U.S. provided military assistance to India during the crisis.

The book also mentions Nehru’s interactions with Jackie Kennedy during her visit to India, as well as a conversation where JFK reportedly told U.S. Ambassador John Kenneth Galbraith that Nehru appeared more interested in speaking with Jackie than engaging in diplomatic discussions.

BJP’s Take on Nehru’s Foreign Policy

The BJP seized on excerpts from Riedel’s book to critique Nehru’s foreign policy decisions. The party’s official social media accounts shared passages that claimed Nehru’s focus was diverted during key diplomatic meetings.

One excerpt alleged that Kennedy considered Nehru’s state visit “the worst” of his presidency, as Nehru reportedly paid more attention to Jackie Kennedy than to official matters.

Another post referenced Nehru’s close relationship with Edwina Mountbatten, the wife of the last British Viceroy of India, hinting at distractions that may have influenced his leadership decisions.

The Broader Political Context

PM Modi’s recommendation of JFK’s Forgotten Crisis came amid a broader attack on the Opposition.

He criticized the Congress for its historical handling of foreign policy and accused the party of failing to address national security concerns effectively. He also attacked the Aam Aadmi Party, referencing allegations that Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal had misused public funds for luxury renovations.

Modi contrasted his government’s achievements with those of the Congress, claiming that in the past decade, his administration had lifted 25 crore people out of poverty, whereas Congress had failed to do so despite ruling the country for decades.

PM Modi’s recommendation of JFK’s Forgotten Crisis was not just a book suggestion but a strategic move to frame the historical narrative around India’s foreign policy.

By invoking Nehru’s diplomatic decisions and alleged miscalculations, Modi aimed to defend his government’s stance on national security while placing the Opposition on the defensive.

As the political debate intensifies, the reference to Riedel’s book has added another layer to the ongoing discourse on India’s strategic affairs.