[1][2] He has considerable experience in South Asia policy issues and considered an expert on Pakistan studies, including heading the Joint Secretary the Division of the Ministry of External Affairs in Pakistan Afghanistan and Iran (PAI) division.

After retirement he has authored two books- the first a biography of two Mughal nobles and the other a study of India Pakistan relations.

The first is entitled Attendant Lords: Bairam Khan and Abdur Rahim, Courtiers and Poets in Mughal India.

His second book is also published by HarperCollins and is entitled The People Next Door: The Curious History of India's Relations with Pakistan.

His latest book is entitled History Men: Jadunath Sarkar, G S Sardesai, Raghubir Sinh and their Quest for India's Past (HarperCollins, 2020).