Kanwal Sibal is one of India’s best-known diplomats. He reached the pinnacle of the Indian Foreign Service on becoming the Foreign Secretary in 2002. During his career of 41 years he has travelled extensively, lived in many countries and absorbed many cultural influences. Besides being Deputy Chief of Mission in Washington with rank of Ambassador, he has been India’s Ambassador to Turkey, Egypt, France and Russia. His hallmark as a diplomat has been his boldness, realism and willingness to be forthright, without fear, with always an Indian perspective in view. Some of his political poems reflect this. Along with this, there is another, sensitive, introspective, reflective side of his personality that his poetry reveals. He combines wit and sentiment.