Biggles returns to India (where he was born - hence the title) to search for a missing friend of the Commonwealth on the run from the Chinese.

The gentleman in question, Poo Tah Ling, had walked over and out of Tibet before Chinese soldiers caught up with him at the camp of a retired British serviceman who is prospecting for precious stones.

A few firefights and casualties later, Ginger parachutes in to help organise a rescue. This is achieved, via a few more batttles with the Chinese, and a great deal of education about the flora and fauna.