https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Delving into the Minds Behind Espionage: Dr. Neil Krishan Aggarwal’s ‘Covert’

Unlock the secrets of espionage and diplomacy with Dr. Neil Krishan Aggarwal's 'Covert'. Spies, strategy, and more revealed!
Indian Masterminds Stories

New York-based psychiatrist Dr. Neil Krishan Aggarwal offers an unparalleled exploration of espionage in his latest book, ‘Covert.’ By interviewing former ISI Chief, General Asad Durrani, and Former RAW chief, Amarjit Singh Dulat, Aggarwal delves into the intricate psychological and operational aspects of being a spy. The book also draws on the expertise of strategic experts such as Amar Sinha, IFS, Lt. Gen. Abhay Krishna, and Yashovardhan Jha Azad, IPS, to examine the nuances of diplomacy, particularly the often-overlooked track 2 diplomacy.

Dr. Neil Krishan Aggarwal, a board-certified psychiatrist based in New York City, customizes treatment based on individual needs and preferences, prioritizing safety, confidentiality, honesty, and mutual understanding. He completed his medical education at Case Western Reserve University, studied cultural psychiatry and medical anthropology at Harvard University, and trained at Yale University. Alongside his private practice, he conducts research and teaches at Columbia University, where he is a Professor of Clinical Psychiatry.

At the event, Dr. Aggarwal shared, in context with the book, “After The Spy Chronicles was published, General Durrani was accused by Pakistan’s PM Nawaz Shareef of treason and was detained at home. He knows the cost of speaking out for peace with India. Similarly, Dulat Sahab also faced consequences for speaking out for peace with Pakistan and about Kashmir. This is when I thought, This is a fabulous point to start the book. By that time, Gen. Durrani had fought his case in Pakistan and won; the chips had fallen for Dulat Sahab, but both men were ready to share their stories again, and so they have been brutally honest to the extent that there is enough in this book to offend EVERYBODY!”

Check out the complete video here-

‘Covert’ extensively discusses the role of track 2 diplomacy, which serves as an alternative dialogue means when mainstream diplomacy fails or is absent. This form of diplomacy involves informal dialogues aimed at building relationships and fostering new thinking to inform official policy. Despite its importance, Track 2 diplomacy faces several challenges that can hinder its effectiveness. A significant issue is the lack of official sanction, limiting its influence and implementation. Additionally, the absence of accountability and transparency can breed mistrust among stakeholders, making it difficult to achieve lasting results.

To ensure the continuity of diplomatic processes independent of individual leaders, diplomats, scholars, and experts must establish robust institutional frameworks that transcend personal and political changes. This involves fostering a culture of shared goals and mutual respect, supported by consistent policy objectives that remain resilient despite leadership transitions.

Aggarwal’s book identifies specific areas where India and Pakistan could collaborate with minimal psychological and cultural shifts, especially in the context of Jammu and Kashmir. By focusing on tangible policy areas such as trade, water resources, and environmental cooperation, both nations can build trust and establish a foundation for addressing more sensitive issues related to identity, history, and collective memories. This pragmatic approach can facilitate dialogue and cooperation, reducing the emotional and psychological barriers often impeding progress.

The book also benefits from the insights of prominent strategic experts. Lieutenant General Abhay Krishna, a retired officer of the Indian Army who commanded the Eastern and South Western Commands and served as General Officer-Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C), Central Command, provides a strategic military perspective on the security dynamics between India and Pakistan. Yashovardhan Azad, with his extensive experience in national security and governance as a former Special Director of the Intelligence Bureau and Secretary (Security) to the Government of India, underscores the importance of intelligence-sharing and collaborative security measures. Amar Sinha, with his distinguished diplomatic career, offers a nuanced understanding of the economic and political dimensions of international relations, particularly in the context of his roles in various Indian missions worldwide and as India’s Ambassador to Afghanistan and Tajikistan.

In summary, Dr. Neil Krishan Aggarwal’s ‘Covert’ offers a profound examination of the psychological and strategic elements of espionage and diplomacy. Through expert interviews and detailed analysis, the book sheds light on the complexities of covert operations and the potential for track 2 diplomacy to foster enduring peace and cooperation between adversarial nations.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
Indian Police Services IPS Officer
Champaran to Get 6 SPs: Bihar Govt Approves New IPS Posts to Ease Police Workload - Details Inside
IAS IPS
Marriage Brings Top Bureaucrats to Rajasthan: 6 IAS-IPS Officers, Including 4 Women, Shift Cadres in 5 Months - Full Details Inside
IFS Dhananjay Mohan
Uttarakhand’s Top Forest Officer IFS Dhananjay Mohan Takes Sudden VRS Amid Sapling Procurement Row; Samir Sinha Gets Addl Charg
IFS Kshitij Saxena
Who Is IFS Kshitij Saxena, Appointed as the New DFO (Territorial) of Gangtok, Sikkim?
CM Vishnu Deo Sai - resized
Chhattisgarh: CM Vishnu Deo Sai Launches Chief Minister Bus Service Scheme; Push for Connectivity and Development in Bastar and Surguja
CM Pushkar Dhami-resized
Uttarakhand: CM Pushkar Singh Dhami Unveils First Yoga Policy; Bhararisain to Emerge as Global Yoga Capital
IPS Laxmi Singh
UP: IPS Laxmi Singh, Commissioner of Gautam Budh Nagar Police, Cracks Down on Laxity, Suspends Officers over Crime Control Failures
Uttar Pradesh UP Government
Uttar Pradesh to Relocate Forest Dwellers to Curb Human-Wildlife Conflict, Rs. 22 Crore Compensation Package Drafted - All Details Inside
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Inderjit Singh Interview Plane Crash
What ill-fated pilots of AI171 may have gone through in those 40 seconds before the crash? Intro:
IRAS Ananth Rupanagudi
IRAS Ananth Rupanagudi’s 27-Year Odyssey with Indian Railways | Exclusive Interview
Monika Singh
The Civil Servant Who Finds Peace in Poetry
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
Raju Wagh
When the Battlefield Became a Study Room and a Dream Took Flight
Amid IED blasts and anti-Maoist operations in Bastar, CRPF Commando Raju Wagh taught village kids, studied...
WhatsApp Image 2025-06-18 at 10.31
"I Just Wanted to Breathe Again": The Man Who Fought Death and Made It to UPSC
Struck by COVID at the peak of his UPSC prep, Devanand Telgote spent months on ECMO, unsure he'd live,...
Ravinder Nandal IDES
IDES Ravinder Nandal's Story of Self-Made Success
Balancing fatherhood, full-time jobs, and six UPSC attempts, Ravinder Nandal’s story is one of perseverance,...
Social Media
Tigress Arrowhead
The End of an Era: A Queen Falls - Ranthambore’s Iconic Tigress Arrowhead (T-84) Passes Away at 14, Hours After Daughter’s Relocation
Ranthambore mourns the loss of one of its fiercest and most beloved tigers, Arrowhead, the granddaughter...
Screenshot 2025-06-13 194001
Wild Elephant Disrupts Riverside Picnic, Sparks Debate on Human Encroachment; IFS Parveen Kumar Shares the Video - Watch Here!
Mr. Kaswan used the viral video, which has garnered over 1.5 lakh views, to highlight the risks of human...
Tiger jump Sundarban
Stunning Viral Video Shows Royal Bengal Tiger Making Spectacular 30-Foot Leap Across River in Sunderbans - See It Here
Retired Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer Susanta Nanda shared the clip online, which quickly went...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
Vishwajit Singh
From Bureaucrat to Ironman: Vishwajit Singh Sheoran, Haryana’s First HCS Officer to Complete the Ironman, Redefines Greatness
Indian Police Services IPS Officer
Champaran to Get 6 SPs: Bihar Govt Approves New IPS Posts to Ease Police Workload - Details Inside
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Inderjit Singh Interview Plane Crash
IRAS Ananth Rupanagudi
Monika Singh
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT