The first of the essays by Dr Ninan Koshy, these collected essays form the preface of the whole collection that is divided into five books. This first collection of essays takes a stark look at international affairs. India is much discussed as the rising power but not without faltering steps; the nation that is yet to perform its claim of having great potential. India's so-called independent foreign policy is quite in tune with US policy on most of the issues. This is a deeper look at how the US policies influence India and other nations.