Jawaharlal Nehru and Sukarno were two of the greatest charismatic leaders of the twentieth century. They have left their indelible imprint on all aspects of contemporary India and Indonesia. This book graphically describes how the two countries became close allies in the momentous years of Indonesian Revolution (1945-1949). While the Indonesian nationalist triumvirate—Sukarno, Mohammad Hatta and Satan Sjahrir—have frequently acknowledged India’s seminal role in the cause of Indonesian independence, there is marked tendency among the Western scholars to downgrade India’s significant contribution. This path breaking book takes a balanced approach. It will be of interest to all those who are committed in promoting India’s relations with Indonesia. More so, when Indian leaders are trying to convert the Look East Policy into Act East Policy. 

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CONTENTS

 Foreword—7

 Preface—11

 Acknowledgement—13

1. Introduction—19

2. India And Indonesia–Cultural Interaction—33

3. Imperialist Phase—48

4. Indian Solidarity with Indonesia –Nationalist Phase—53

5. Glimpses into Indonesian Nationalism—63

6. Indonesia Proclaims Independence—75

7. India – Window to the Outside World—88

8. Together in Struggle—99

9. Indian Diplomacy at Its Best—112

10. Bliss was it in that Dawn to be Alive—133

 Bibliography—137

 Index—145

Prof. V. Suryanarayan is one of India’s leading specialists in South and Southeast Asian Studies. For more than two decades he was associated with the Centre for South and Southeast Asian Studies, University of Madras, first as the founding Director and later as Senior Professor. He was Visiting Professor in several Universities in India, United States and Sri Lanka. 
He was a member of the National Security Advisory Board of the Government of India for one term. He is a member of the distinguished faculty of the Symbiosis University, Pune.  The Kalinga International Foundation awarded  him  the  Kalinga Saraswathi  Sammam  in recognition of pioneering work in promoting  India-Indonesia relations. 
He has written extensively on contemporary South and Southeast Asia.