THE OTHER SIDE OF DIPLOMACY

The Other Side of Diplomacy

The Other Side of Diplomacy offers a rare and fascinating glimpse into the unseen world behind diplomatic life—the experiences, challenges and memorable moments of the spouses and families of Indian diplomats. Filled with historic, entertaining and intriguing stories, this anthology reveals the human side of diplomacy, beyond official meetings and international relations.

📖 About the Book

Behind the glamour of the Indian Foreign Service and the excitement of international postings lies another fascinating journey—that of diplomatic spouses who adapt to new countries, cultures and ways of life every few years.

These women and men move across continents, raise families in unfamiliar environments and navigate the unique responsibilities that come with diplomatic life, while following the unwritten rule of avoiding diplomatic missteps and maintaining grace in every situation.

Curated by Jayshree Misra Tripathi, this collection brings together personal accounts from diplomatic spouses and family members who share remarkable experiences from their lives around the world. Their stories capture everything from cultural discoveries and family moments to encounters with historic events.

Travelling across places such as Sikkim, Ethiopia, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Tajikistan, Baghdad, China and Switzerland, the book explores diverse cultures while offering a behind-the-scenes look at life within High Commissions and Embassies.

The Other Side of Diplomacy is a compelling collection for aspiring diplomats, readers interested in global cultures and anyone who enjoys inspiring real-life stories of people living between worlds.

✨ Key Highlights

• A unique look into the lives of diplomatic spouses and families.
• Features historic, personal and entertaining stories from around the world.
• Explores cultures, traditions and experiences across different continents.
• Reveals the challenges and joys of adapting to diplomatic life.
• Offers behind-the-scenes stories from High Commissions and Embassies.
• A fascinating read for diplomacy enthusiasts and lovers of human stories.

✍️ About the Editor

Jayshree Misra Tripathi is a poet and retired diplomatic spouse with more than six decades of experience across different parts of the world, including Cuttack, Odisha, England, Sri Lanka, Madagascar and beyond.

Drawing from her extensive global experiences, she writes about the complexities of human relationships, moments of grace and the voices of women whose stories are often overlooked.

Her poems and short stories have been featured in national and international anthologies and reviewed in the Sahitya Akademi journal Indian Literature. Through her work, she continues to explore the richness of human experiences across cultures.

👥 Contributors

Ajay Shankar ● Anita Sapra ● Anuradha Muthukumar ● Ashok Pandey ● Asiya Hamid Rao ● Hema Devare ● Kusum Budhwar ● Kusum Tayal ● Margreta Kumar ● Preeti Singh ● Reshmi Ray Dasgupta ● Sharmila Kantha ● Shreedevi Nair Pal ● Shrimi Sinha ● Smita Purushottam

📚 Why Read This Book?

The Other Side of Diplomacy presents a rarely seen perspective on international life through the eyes of those who supported and experienced diplomacy beyond official roles. With heartfelt narratives, cultural insights and unforgettable moments, this book brings together stories of adaptation, resilience and connection across borders.