Archive · 5 Sep 2026
HarperCollins to Publish Sonia Gandhi Memoir in India
Sonia Gandhi has written a memoir called Belonging: A Journey of Love.
HarperCollins India will publish it in India on November 10, 2026.
The book is expected to describe her childhood in Italy and her life in the Nehru-Gandhi family.
It may also discuss her husband Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination and her decision to enter politics.
The publisher says the memoir will give readers a personal view of India’s history and politics.
Alfred A. Knopf will publish the book outside India on the same date.
Penguin Random House India had wanted to publish the book but said talks reached an impasse.
A former Congress chief minister made a different claim about why the publishing plans changed.
HarperCollins India will publish Sonia Gandhi’s memoir Belonging: A Journey of Love in India on November 10, 2026.
The memoir is described as a personal account of love, identity, duty and belonging, with an insider’s view of India.
It is expected to cover Gandhi’s childhood in post-war Italy, marriage into the Nehru-Gandhi family and entry into politics.
Alfred A. Knopf, a Penguin Random House division, is scheduled to release the book outside India on November 10.
Penguin Random House India said discussions reached an impasse, while Ashok Gehlot alleged pressure over passages concerning Narendra Modi, the RSS and China.
- Who
- Sonia Gandhi, HarperCollins India, Penguin Random House India and Alfred A. Knopf are central to the publishing decision; Ashok Gehlot also commented on the dispute.
- What
- HarperCollins India will publish Sonia Gandhi’s memoir Belonging: A Journey of Love in India.
- When
- The Indian edition is scheduled for November 10, 2026; HarperCollins announced the decision on Friday.
- Where
- The book will be published in India by HarperCollins India and outside India by Alfred A. Knopf.
- Why
- The change followed an impasse between Sonia Gandhi’s representatives and Penguin Random House India, although the precise issue remains undisclosed.
Penguin Random House India’s account
Ashok Gehlot’s allegation
Reason for the publishing change
Penguin Random House India’s account
Penguin Random House India said it remained willing and keen to publish the memoir and that discussions reached an impasse over an undisclosed issue. It said reports attributing the decision solely to rejected editorial changes did not accurately reflect the circumstances.
Ashok Gehlot’s allegation
Ashok Gehlot alleged that pressure was put on Penguin India to remove passages concerning Narendra Modi, the RSS and China’s occupation of Indian territory during Modi’s rule.
Editorial intervention
Penguin Random House India’s account
Penguin Random House India said fact-checking and making recommendations in the best interests of a book are its prerogative and responsibility as a publisher.
Ashok Gehlot’s allegation
Gehlot’s comments suggested that political pressure, rather than ordinary editorial discussions, was the central issue.
- Book
- Belonging: A Journey of Love
- Author
- Sonia Gandhi
- Indian publisher
- HarperCollins India
- Indian publication date
- November 10, 2026
- International publisher
- Alfred A. Knopf, a division of Penguin Random House
- Expected subjects
- Gandhi’s childhood in post-war Italy, marriage into the Nehru-Gandhi family, Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination and her entry into politics
- Publisher dispute
- Penguin Random House India said discussions reached an impasse over a particular issue but denied that its position was inaccurately described as simply rejecting the book because the author declined editorial changes
