The 21st Century Ambassador : Plenipotentiary to Chief Executive

"[Kishan Rana]...is perhaps the only one to write on the craft of diplomacy.

His two earlier volumes...have earned kudos from diplomatists around the world.

Rana's book is a gem that combines a focus on the intricacies of the diplomatic trade with a communication skill that is rare...Anyone interested in diplomacy and foreign policy will find [this] book easy to read and a lot to benefit from." - C.

Raja Mohan, "Sunday Express". "A well researched monograph reflecting much original thought about changes that have overtaken international relations, practices and application of international law in our era...Kishan Rana has woven all this into his narrative in this extremely readable, analytical book which reflects scholarship and in-depth thinking.' - S.

K. Singh, former Indian Foreign Secretary. "[The author] delight[s], as well as instruct[s a] growing following [i]n diplomatic training courses throughout the world.

This is a truly impressive work - fluent, lively, comprehensive...original, and above all sage.

It deserves a wide readership and will without doubt get one." - G.

R. Berridge, Emeritus Professor of International Politics, University of Leicester. "...Rana's best book on diplomacy. "The 21st Century Ambassador" is an incisive study...The book is highly recommended to practitioners...a very stimulating contribution to the field." - Jan Mellisen, Director, Training and Education, Netherlands Institute of International Relations.

The ambassador is a symbol of the foreign state and personifies international relations.

He is also the object of myth, envy and frequent misreading of utility.

In spite of significant lack of understanding about the role of the ambassador, few scholarly studies have addressed this issue.

As the first book of its kind written by an Indian scholar-diplomat, this volume looks closely at the diplomatic process and its major constituents.

Blending conceptual clarity and practical experience, Rana analyses the traditional roles of ambassadors, their relevance in the context of changing international relations, and their redefinition.

Is the ambassador a political representative of his/her country or a businessman trying to market his country in a foreign location?

What has happened to the traditional roles the ambassador was expected to fulfil?The preface looks at the way Indian envoys have served their country, and the evolution in their performance.

Literally sprinkled with anecdotes from diplomatic lore, this engaging and incisive study will be of immense interest to political scientists, scholars of international relations and foreign policy, students of diplomacy, professional diplomats, journalists and the informed lay reader.