A groundbreaking new book reveals how the Indian state, even before independence, was obsessed with distancing itself from the ‘coolie’ label; not just for racial reasons, but because of caste anxiety. Caste elites feared the term ‘coolie’ didn’t just shame laborers; it also dragged India’s global image down to the 'untouchable' level. So they built a diplomacy that controlled who could travel, who could represent India, and who got called 'Indian' abroad. The book also highlights forgotten rebels; like Dalit leaders and migrant workers; who defied these restrictions, demanding mobility as their right. Their stories challenge the official narrative that India’s global presence was born in high-level talks; not in the sweat of plantations or the courage of forged passports. If you think diplomacy is about treaties and summits, think again. It was also about who gets to leave, who gets to return, and who gets to call themselves 'Indian' on the world stage.