iplomacy -- Diplomacy & foreign policy -- Political relationships -- Economics in command -- India's outbound economic & technical aid -- Cultural diplomacy -- Education, science and technology -- Consular work & the movement of people -- Multilateral diplomacy: overplayed? -- Pomp & circumstance -- MEA structure: a strong headquarters -- Human resources: the management imperative -- Missions abroad -- An inspectorate: a missing link -- Properties abroad: wisdom & negligence -- Parliament, NGOs and the public interface -- Media relations: ally or adversary -- The NRIs: an asset underplayed -- A better way -- Afterword.