India's armed forces have maintained national security and territorial integrity better than those of most other developing, democratic nations. The credit for these successes, however, goes less to its higher defence management and more to those responsible for operational planning and execution. Many a time, India has failed to convert hard-won operational achievements into long-term strategic successes.Why does that happen? How do we take politico-military decisions before and during a military conflict? What needs to be done to improve our defence planning and management?

In this path-breaking book, General V.P. Malik, who was Army Chief during the Kargil conflict in 1999, looks back on his distinguished career and presents some recent examples of India's military conflicts. Among these are eye-opening accounts of Operation Pawan in which an Indian peacekeeping force was sent to Sri Lanka in 1987, with tragic results, and Operation Cactus in the Maldives, a quick commando action where India's armed forces foiled an attempted coup d'état in less than twenty-four hours.

Alongside are some other examples of India's military diplomacy in a range of circumstances.

These authentic, objective narrations and assessments take us within the decision-making process and also provide a futuristic perspective on India's higher defence management. Gripping and immediate, these are accounts that will fascinate anyone who has a stake in India's national security.