Chatham House, the Royal Institute of International Affairs, stands as one of the most influential think tanks in the world. Based in London, it has long served as a hub for diplomatic dialogue, policy research, and strategic thinking. Its legacy is deeply tied to global politics, and its founder Lionel Curtis emerges as a pivotal figure whose influence extends far beyond Britain’s shores. Recently, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar addressed a talk at Chatham House in London, which underscored the continued relevance of the institution in shaping global discourse.

However, the significance of Lionel Curtis to India and South Asia runs deeper, woven into the colonial past and the evolution of India’s constitutional framework. Lionel Curtis was more than just a British administrator; he was a visionary and an internationalist whose ideas shaped the constitutional and political structure of British India. Curtis’s influence is perhaps most visible in the Government of India Act of 1919, which laid the foundation for the introduction of responsible government in India under British colonial rule. The Act introduced the concept of dyarchy — a system where certain subjects of administration were transferred to Indian ministers while others remained under the control of the British governors. This marked a significant, albeit cautious, step toward Indian self-governance, and Curtis was instrumental in shaping this transition.

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Curtis’s deep connection with South Asia was not incidental but the result of years of political engagement and strategic thinking. His work with the Round Table movement, which he founded, aimed at fostering imperial unity while recognizing the need for constitutional reform in India and other British dominions. The Round Table was established in 1910 as a forum to debate and influence the future of the British Empire. Curtis’s writings and advocacy through the Round Table reflected his belief that the Empire could only survive if it adapted to the aspirations of its colonies. He saw the British Empire not as a rigid colonial structure but as a Commonwealth of nations where self-governance and British leadership could coexist.

The Government of India Act of 1919 was a direct outcome of this strategic thinking. Curtis worked closely with other British policymakers and Indian political leaders to draft the Act, which was a landmark piece of legislation in India’s constitutional history. The Act introduced bicameral legislatures at the central level and expanded the franchise to certain segments of the Indian population. However, it was the concept of dyarchy that stood out as Curtis’s most controversial and innovative contribution. Under dyarchy, the provincial subjects were divided into two categories— transferred and reserved. Indian ministers were entrusted with transferred subjects such as agriculture, public health, and education, while the British-controlled subjects included law and order, finance, and foreign affairs.

Curtis believed that this gradual delegation of authority would prepare Indian leaders for full self-governance within the imperial framework. Curtis’s role in shaping India’s constitutional path was not without criticism. Indian nationalists, including leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, viewed dyarchy as an inadequate and insincere attempt at constitutional reform. For Curtis, however, it was a pragmatic compromise—a way to introduce political responsibility while maintaining British oversight. His deep engagement with Indian constitutional questions also shaped the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms, which formed the basis of the Government of India Act.

Curtis’s ideas reflected his broader worldview that imperialism could evolve into a form of internationalism where former colonies would become equal partners within the British Commonwealth. Curtis’s legacy extends beyond India. His vision of a connected world where nations worked together under shared values took concrete shape in his establishment of Chatham House in 1920. The founding of Chatham House was, in many ways, a natural extension of his work with the Round Table. Curtis saw the need for an independent institution that could foster dialogue, conduct policy research, and advise governments on matters of international importance. Chatham House’s role in shaping British foreign policy and global diplomatic strategies has been profound.

Its influence has extended across the Atlantic and into the heart of European and Asian geopolitics. Curtis’s founding principles ensured that Chatham House remained committed to impartiality, intellectual rigour, and a global outlook. Curtis was also connected with the establishment of the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) in the United States. The CFR was modelled on Chatham House and became America’s leading foreign policy think-tank. Curtis’s transatlantic influence reflects his broader vision of a connected world where policy and diplomacy transcended national boundaries. His work also extended into Europe, where he was associated with the founding of a French think tank, highlighting his role as a true internationalist.

Curtis’s understanding of India’s political aspirations was shaped by his extensive travels across the subcontinent. He engaged with Indian political leaders, social reformers, and intellectuals, seeking to understand the complexities of Indian society. His writings reflect a nuanced understanding of India’s historical and cultural diversity. He believed that India’s path to self-governance would require constitutional evolution rather than revolutionary change. This gradualist approach was not always welcomed by Indian nationalists, but it laid the groundwork for the constitutional developments that followed. Curtis’s internationalist vision extended beyond the British Empire. He was a firm believer in the League of Nations and saw it as a precursor to a more organized and peaceful international order.

His advocacy for international cooperation found expression in the work of Chatham House, which became a key platform for global diplomacy. Chatham House’s influence on British foreign policy and its role in facilitating diplomatic engagement during and after the Second World War underscored Curtis’s foresight and strategic acumen. Recently, S. Jaishankar’s address at Chatham House served as a reminder of Curtis’s enduring legacy. Jaishankar’s remarks highlighted the complex and evolving nature of India’s relationship with Britain and the wider international community. The backdrop of the Khalistani protest outside the venue underscored the continued resonance of colonial history and the lingering impact of British-Indian relations. Curtis’s vision of a cooperative Commonwealth where India played a leading role remains only partially realized. India’s rise as a global power, its diplomatic assertiveness, and its engagement with multilateral institutions reflect both the continuities and departures from Curtis’s imperial vision. Curtis’s legacy in India is complex.

While his constitutional reforms paved the way for greater Indian participation in governance, they also reinforced British dominance and control. The Government of India Act of 1919 was not a definitive step toward independence, but it was a strategic concession that acknowledged India’s growing political consciousness. Curtis’s vision of imperial unity evolved into the Commonwealth of Nations, where India remains a leading member.

His work with the Round Table, Chatham House, and other institutions reflects his broader commitment to a world where dialogue, cooperation, and shared governance shape international relations. Lionel Curtis’s contribution to India’s constitutional journey and global diplomacy remains a testament to his political foresight and strategic thinking. Chatham House stands as a monument to his vision — a space where policymakers, diplomats,and intellectuals engage in shaping the future of international relations. Curtis’s legacy is embedded in India’s constitutional history and in the broader framework of global governance. His belief in constitutional evolution, political responsibility, and international cooperation continues to resonate in a world where the balance of power is shifting and the search for a stable and just international order remains ongoing. “The Empire must evolve or it will perish.” These words by Curtis capture the essence of his political vision — a vision that shaped not only the British Empire but also India’s constitutional trajectory.

(The writer is Associate Professor, Centre for South Asian Studies, Pondicherry Central University.)