Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday suggested a surprising addition to the reading list of Lok Sabha MPs—JFK’s Forgotten Crisis, a book by US foreign policy expert Bruce Riedel. His recommendation came amid an ongoing debate in Parliament regarding the government’s handling of the China border issue, which had drawn questions from Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav during the discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address.
In his reply to the debate, PM Modi took the opportunity to reference the book while indirectly criticizing former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. A frequent subject of BJP’s critiques, Nehru’s approach to foreign policy and national security was once again put under scrutiny by Modi, who claimed that Riedel’s book sheds light on certain “games” played by Nehru during his tenure.
Highlighting Nehru’s dual role as both Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Modi remarked, “If someone is truly interested in foreign policy, they should read JFK’s Forgotten Crisis.” He pointed out that the book details Nehru’s interactions with then-US President John F. Kennedy, particularly during a critical period, providing insights into how India’s first Prime Minister handled foreign affairs.
Modi’s recommendation quickly sparked a debate on social media and among foreign policy analysts. Observers began dissecting the book’s contents, with some drawing attention to passages that discuss Nehru’s diplomatic dealings. One analyst on X linked Nehru’s foreign policy approach to what he described as Rahul Gandhi’s inherited political mindset. He commented, “The details about Nehru and his political maneuvering show the same mindset that Rahul Gandhi carries forward today. No surprise that his views on foreign policy often align with third-grade trolls.”
Excerpts from JFK’s Forgotten Crisis soon began circulating online, including passages that described a peculiar moment involving Nehru and Jacqueline Kennedy. The book mentions that when First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy visited India, the US embassy had arranged for her to stay in a villa, but Nehru insisted that she be accommodated in a guest suite at the Prime Minister’s residence instead. This particular suite, Riedel notes, was frequently used by Edwina Mountbatten, the wife of India’s last British Viceroy, Lord Mountbatten. The book highlights Nehru’s close friendship with Edwina Mountbatten, hinting at a personal significance to his insistence on the suite’s use.
One passage quoted from the book reads: “The embassy had rented a villa for Mrs. Kennedy to stay in, but Nehru insisted after she arrived that she stay in a guest suite at the prime minister’s residence. It was the suite often used by Edwina Mountbatten, the wife of India’s last viceroy, Lord Mountbatten, who had presided over the partition. A frequent visitor to India after independence, Edwina and Nehru were at least close friends, if not more. Jackie (Jacqueline Kennedy) was getting Nehru’s complete attention.”
Another portion of the book describes how Nehru appeared more engaged with Jacqueline Kennedy than with President Kennedy himself. It even records JFK’s disappointment, with the US leader reportedly calling the visit the “worst state visit” of his presidency. Additionally, Riedel’s book mentions that Nehru seemed to show greater interest in Pat Kennedy, JFK’s younger sister, rather than in the diplomatic discussions with Kennedy and his administration.
The resurfacing of these details reignited discussions on Nehru’s foreign policy decisions, as well as his diplomatic relationships with key international figures. Modi’s reference to the book has further fueled the BJP’s long-standing critique of Nehru, while also drawing reactions from opposition leaders and political commentators.