This is a book that was waiting to be written, perhaps the first of several such. The Mahabharat is of perennial interest, because individual ethical dilemmas and conflicts of dharma resonate thousands of years later. However, unlike something like the Arthashastr, Mahabharat’s rich tapestry has been relatively unexplored for collective public policy choices and strategic decisions, even in cross-country negotiations. With their rich academic and research experience and deep understanding of this 'Itihasa', Aruna Narlikar, Amitabh Mattoo and Amrita Narlikar have produced a wonderful exploration, using specific incidents to push the envelope of Mahabharat research further -- Bibek Debroy, economist

The ancient Indian epic Mahabharat is a timeless marvel that highlights and teaches human fragilities, competitions and challenges, even while pursuing larger goals through nobler paths. Using this timeless wonder, Strategic Choices, Ethical Dilemmas seeks to address the perennial confrontation between realpolitik and ethics. I wish to congratulate the three illustrious scholars on their efforts to seek answers to modern foreign policy challenges facing India through the prism of the ancient wisdom exhibited in Mahabharat -- Santishree Pandit, vice chancellor, Jawaharlal Nehru University

An exciting and unique contribution to addressing modern economic and political problems via a wonderful, ancient epic -- Jagdish Bhagwati, economist, and university professor of economics and law, Columbia University

A remarkable book which shows how the rich content of ancient texts produced by centuries of ancient Indian statecraft can and should be used to inform our present debates on issues of foreign and security policy and their ethics. Avoiding the mistake of claiming that all solutions for present issues are to be found in these texts, it uses the Mahabharat to conceptualize and to prompt fresh thinking. If there is a beginning to an Indian school of international relations, it is in a work like this, grounded in our past but not trapped by it. That there are similarities between the world of Mahabharat and today’s international situation makes it even more relevant. A book that the scholar, practitioner, interested layperson and all of us who have been brought up in the conceptual universe of the Mahabharat should read. -- Shivshankar Menon, diplomat and former National Security Adviser of India

This is a book that could not be timelier. Coming as it does amidst rapidly changing global realities, this unique perspective from Dr Aruna Narlikar, Prof. Amitabh Mattoo and Prof. Amrita Narlikar is a refreshing departure from conventional approaches to strategic theory.

Drawing from the timeless wisdom of the Mahabharat, this masterful presentation culls out the lessons ensconced in the epic’s colourful legends, that are salient to today’s strategic and political dilemmas.

The earnestness with which the authors seek to demonstrate that it is 'possible to win and still keep one’s soul' and that 'humanity' in its most inclusive sense can still be recovered, is indeed a refreshing tonic in these jaded times.

I strongly commend this book to readers seeking fresh narrations of the Indian story. The reader is bound to find enchanting the lessons in the timeless stories as they are retold here, in this book, and to come away inspired by the noble morality of Yudhishthir, whose emphasis on dharma makes clear there doesn’t have to be a dichotomy between interests and values

-- Malini Parthasarathy, former editor, The Hindu, and former chairperson, The Hindu Group

All classics of world literature capture the enduring ethical dilemmas of life but none does more expansively than the Mahabharat. In this elegant and enchanting volume, Aruna Narlikar, Amitabh Mattoo and Amrita Narlikar retell the ancient stories of the Mahabharat to help us reflect and cope with the multiple moral dilemmas of modern life -- C. Raja Mohan, Institute of South Asian Studies, National University of Singapore

Aruna Narlikar is an author, poet and artist. Her publications include the co-authored Bargaining with a Rising India: Lessons from the Mahabharata (2014), and recent articles for the Speaking Tree column of Times of India and Economic Times. In addition to a doctorate in literature, she has earned a senior diploma in yogic science. She has wide-ranging experience in television and print media. She writes in three languages (Hindi, Marathi and English), and has had her work published in some of the leading Indian newspapers and magazines.

Amitabh Mattoo(D.Phil, Oxon) is professor of international relations at the School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University and honorary professor at the Faculty of Arts, University of Melbourne. His scholarship and contribution have won him numerous honours of high distinction, including the Padma Shri. He is regarded as one of the top strategic thinkers from India. His policy advice has been sought by the governments of India and Australia. He has been a member of India’s National Security Council’s Advisory Board and the National Knowledge Commission. He had earlier served as the vice chancellor of the University of Jammu, chair of Miranda House and the founding director and CEO of the Australia India Institute.

Amrita Narlikar (D.Phil, Oxon) has served as president of the German Institute for Global and Area Studies (GIGA) for close to a decade. She is professor of international relations at Hamburg University and an honorary fellow of Darwin College at the University of Cambridge. She serves as senior fellow at the Observer Research Foundation and at Research and Information System for Developing Countries. Before being appointed to the GIGA presidency, she was ‘reader’ (‘professor’ under the university’s internationally aligned system) in international political economy at the University of Cambridge.