This book traces the history of Indo-US relations between 1947 and 1974. It argues that not everything in the United States changed with September 11, 2001; the guiding principles of American foreign policy have remained the same. It also shows that from the Indian side both antagonisms and partial alliance with the US that had led her progressively towards militarism remain the features of the Indian outlook.

The author emphasises that the Indo-US relations were never a product of courses set in motion by the two actors only; historically they were shaped by the two countries' other relations, such as American friendship with Pakistan, India's alliance with Afro-Asia, American antagonism with Soviet Union, and Indian love-hate relations with China.