Hostility is former Pakistan high commissioner to India Abdul Basit’s memoir of his tenure in New Delhi, from 2014 to 2017. The book takes us through perhaps the most difficult era in India-Pakistan relations in recent years. While Narendra Modi’s first prime ministership began with a new hope of normalising relations between Pakistan and India, subsequent events unfortunately proved otherwise.

In his account, Abdul Basit takes us through the highs and lows of what is easily among the most difficult diplomatic postings anywhere in the world. Written with honesty, lucidity, and filled with explosive nuggets about what goes on behind the scenes between India and Pakistan, Hostility provides a rare insight into what is possibly the most damaged bilateral relationship in the world.

“Hostility is a remarkably honest account by Amb. Abdul Basit of his tenure as high commissioner of Pakistan in India (2014-17). It provides an insider’s perspective on one of the most antagonistic bilateral relationships in the world. Anyone who has ever wondered how the highly fraught diplomatic space between the two countries is negotiated should definitely read this book.”. – Swati Chopra, Executive Editor- HarperCollins India