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Hostility: A Diplomat's Diary on Pakistan-India Relations and More

by Abdul Basit

Abdul Basit’s fascinating account of India Pakistan relations is based largely on his tenure in India as Pakistan High Commissioner from March 2014 to August 2017: the "ups and downs that generated hopes and created stalemates; how the two sides dealt with them; why and how the bilateral relationship reached the present troublesome phase; whether there is any possibility that the two would ever be able to become normal neighbours", as he writes. Basit’s important book sheds light on questions of diplomacy and state interests that are as pertinent as ever.

Hardcover ISBN: 978 969 716 116 4

Price in Pakistan: Rs 1,795

Rights: World

Date of Publication:

Pages:

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ambassador Abdul Basit joined the Foreign Service of Pakistan in 1982. During his thirty-five years of diplomatic career, he served in several Pakistan missions abroad including in Moscow, New York, Sana’a, Geneva and London. He also remained a spokesperson of the Pakistan Foreign Office for over three years before leaving for Germany in 2012 to take over as Pakistan’s ambassador in Berlin. His last assignment was as Pakistan High Commissioner to India from 2014–17.

Ambassador Basit hails from Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He graduated from Edwardes College Peshawar in Economics and Political Science and completed his master’s in International Relations from the Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad. Ambassador Basit is married and has two children.

He also served as President of the Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI) from 2017-2018 and is presently heading the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security studies (PICSS).

EDITORIAL REVIEWS

"As Pakistan High Commissioner in New Delhi during the tumultuous period of 2014-17, Ambassador Basit had a difficult job of not only reaching out to India's new government under Prime Minister Modi but also protecting Pakistan's interests especially in the context of Kashmir. Hostility is a must read for those interested in Pakistan-India relations and how diplomacy should be conducted in style and with dignity even in hostility." ― Shamshad Ahmad Khan, former Foreign Secretary of Pakistan

"I admire Ambassador Basit for writing this trailblazing book disclosing any facets of diplomacy with India during his difficult stint in New Delhi. His story is an eye-opener and carries many lessons for young Pakistani diplomats. Kudos to him." ― Ambassador Burhanul Islam (Retired)

"Our diplomats usually do not write books to share their rich experiences. Ambassador Abdul Basit, by writing Hostility; has done a great service to the country. It is good that he has restricted himself to writing on Pakistan-India relations, especially how the serious issues were dealt with during his challenging tenure in India. His book is an interesting and insightful work. It is a brilliant analysis of an insider. Not only does Ambassador Basit divulge many hitherto unknown facets of Pakistan's diplomatic moves vis-a-vis India but he also suggests the way forward particularly on Kashmir. This is a must-read for all those who are interested in Pakistan-India relations and how foreign policy decisions are taken in Pakistan. ― Muhammad Islam, Ph.D. Vice President, lqra University

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