“Anger Management” by Ajay Bisaria - Former High Commissioner of India to Pakistan - Book Review

The enduring hostility between India and Pakistan, initiated by the partition in 1947 followed by traumatic violence, and marked by four conventional wars, the bifurcation of Pakistan, proxy sub conventional wars in Kashmir and Punjab, nuclear tests, acts of terrorism, and surgical strikes, has become a seemingly permanent fixture in South Asian geopolitics. The relationship has oscillated between cautious optimism and intense hostility, yet it has consistently deteriorated over the decades. Despite the long history of these two nations, a lasting resolution seems as elusive as it was at the outset in 1947.

To an outsider, the protracted India-Pakistan diplomatic stalemate may seem intractable, a perpetual case study in failed diplomacy. For those less invested, it's a narrative to bypass in favour of more hopeful news. However, for the 25 Indian High Commissioners to Pakistan, even in the most trying times detachment has not been an option. These diplomatic stalwarts have been at the coalface of Indo-Pak relations.

Bisaria’s recently published book "Anger Management" offers an insider's perspective, chronicling the endeavours and intricacies of diplomatic engagement with Pakistan. The author himself was the Indian HC to Pakistan from 2017-2020.

One might wonder if Bisaria’s narrative can shed new light on a subject already thoroughly dissected in public discourse. The answer is a resounding yes. Bisaria successfully brings to the fore elements that merit re-examination in light of shifting political and economic landscapes within both nations and the changing dynamics of regional and global politics.

The book delves into India's policy-making decisions, underscoring a general consensus on the nature of the issues at hand but highlighting the divergent approaches recommended by various interlocutors, influenced by their unique experiences and beliefs. The proposed strategies have spanned a wide spectrum—from the early, somewhat naïve suggestion by India’s first High Commissioner, Sri Prakasa, to consider ceding Kashmir to Pakistan (he was promptly pulled up by Nehru for this), to the more aggressive stance advocated by HC Satish Chandra, which included imposing punitive measures against Pakistan, such as passing a resolution in Parliament declaring Pakistan as a Terrorist State. Some others have prescribed actions which could be labelled more centrist or nuanced. Bisaria himself advocates for a “structured dialogue”, a sustained engagement with the Pakistani army, combined with "a disproportionately strong active defence" against any terrorist action emanating from Pakistani soil.

Bisaria navigates through the differing stances of various Indian Prime Ministers, particularly Nehru, Narasimha Rao, Vajpayee, and Modi. Each leader's approach was shaped by past events, their individual assessments, and the specific geopolitical context of their tenures. The approaches from the Pakistani leaders, while being centred around the primacy of Kashmir issue were also dictated by their fluctuating and often unstable hold on political power internally. The self interests of US and China in the region have directly and indirectly influenced the course of events, particularly on the Pakistani side.

After detailing the chronology of diplomatic ties, Bisaria presents the nuanced lessons history has imparted, albeit often ambiguously.

The book explores the breadth of engagement strategies debated by analysts, ranging from security, trade and economics, people-to-people ties, the sanctity of the Line of Control (LOC), and the risks of crossing the nuclear threshold.

A lesser-appreciated yet significant aspect highlighted in the book is the peril faced by diplomats and their families stationed in Pakistan. Accounts of physical violence, firebombs, cars being set alight, stone-throwing, mental and vocal harassment, abductions, and other threats to personal safety punctuate the narrative, underscoring the serious risks involved in diplomatic service in inimical countries, often with little more than the 'paper shield' of the Vienna Convention for protection. Bisaria himself faced expulsion from Islamabad in 2019 amidst escalating tensions.

The book is remarkably accessible, written in clear, engaging prose. It maintains focus on diplomatic history, steering clear of well-trodden topics and maintaining an objective, measured tone—providing a refreshing departure from the often sensationalist mainstream and social media discourse.

Bisaria’s talent for writing is evident; his career in diplomacy has been complemented by his skill as an author.

At a recent chance encounter with Bisaria, I half-jokingly suggested that his subsequent experiences as High Commissioner to Canada—where he found himself handling a diplomatic ruckus, following allegations by the Canadian PM linking India to the assassination of a Sikh separatist—might provide rich material for a similar book on the Khalistan issue. He quipped wittily, that if he ever did that, 'Anger Management' would be an equally fitting title for such a book.

This book comes highly recommended for anyone interested in the complex web of Indo-Pak relations.

(For the sake of readability of this review, I have taken the liberty of discarding convention, by referring to the author by only his surname rather than prefixing his name with “High Commissioner” or “Ambassador” or the honorific “His Excellency” – No disrespect is implied or intended.)