Book Quote by Suketu Mehta
“While I was writing my book, I got a top police official in Bombay an invitation to study terrorism at the Rand Institute in Washington DC. This would have helped the city enormously, as he was the detective who cracked the '93 blasts case. But the commissioner declined to let his subordinate take up the offer from Rand, because of his fear that it was CIA-affiliated. That culture of suspicion needs to change; India needs to learn how other democracies fight terror.”
About This Quote
Source Article: “The Terrorist’s Dilemma” by Suketu Mehta, The New Yorker, 2015
A senior Indian police official missed an opportunity to study terrorism abroad due to mistrust of foreign institutions, highlighting a broader culture of suspicion.
In simple terms: Fear of foreign influence blocked a useful learning chance.
Key Takeaway
Encourage openness to international expertise.
Themes
security
trust
policy
Mood
cautious
reflective
Type
policy
strategic
When to use this quote
- government decision‑making
- law enforcement training
- global security forums
Key Concepts
counterterrorism
international cooperation
bureaucracy
Questions to Reflect On
- How can agencies build trust with foreign partners?
- What safeguards prevent undue influence while fostering learning?
A Different Perspective
Suspicion can hinder valuable knowledge exchange.
