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 defence management apparatus 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? In this path-breaking book, V.P. Malik looks back on his career and presents some recent examples of India’s military conflicts. Among these are 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’etat in less than twenty-four hours. Alongside are examples of India’s military diplomacy in a range of circumstances. With a new Preface to the paperback edtion, this book will fascinate anyone who has a stake in India’s national security.