Former Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s autobiography, Belonging: A Journey of Love, is set to be released on November 10, 2026, in India and international markets. The book offers an account of her journey from Italy to India, her relationship with former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, family tragedies and her political career. However, even before its release, the book has attracted attention over a dispute concerning its publisher.
Sonia Gandhi’s autobiography became the subject of a publishing controversy ahead of its release. Penguin Random House India was initially preparing to publish the book. However, the two sides were subsequently unable to reach an agreement on the publication.
Media reports claimed that discussions had taken place over proposed changes to certain sections of the manuscript. These reportedly included references to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and India-China relations.
Some Congress leaders expressed concerns that the publisher may have faced pressure. Penguin Random House India, however, denied allegations of external pressure. The company said that discussions concerning publication could not proceed because the parties failed to reach an agreement on one issue.
Following the dispute, HarperCollins India took over responsibility for publishing the book in India.
In remarks shared on November 8, Sonia Gandhi explained that she had kept several aspects of her personal life away from public discussion for a long time. Even after entering politics, she generally avoided speaking openly about her family and personal experiences.
According to her, much has been written about the Gandhi family, but the personal struggles, individual personalities and relationships among family members have not always been presented in their entirety.
Sonia Gandhi said she wanted to portray her family members as she had known them personally. She described the book not as a political statement but as an account of her life, love and family.
The autobiography also recounts the early days of Sonia Gandhi’s relationship with Rajiv Gandhi. Born and raised in a small town in Italy, Sonia moved to England for her studies. It was in Cambridge that she met Rajiv Gandhi, an Indian student.
Sonia was 19 at the time. Their friendship gradually developed into a romantic relationship, and the two eventually got married.
After moving to India, Sonia had to adjust to a new family, language and lifestyle. The book also discusses her relationship with Indira Gandhi and her experiences raising Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi.
The book recounts three major tragedies that significantly affected Sonia Gandhi and her family.
In 1980, Sanjay Gandhi died in an aircraft accident. Four years later, on October 31, 1984, then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated. Subsequently, on May 21, 1991, former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was also assassinated.
Sonia Gandhi has written about the impact of these events on her family and her personal experiences of grief. Following Rajiv Gandhi’s death, she remained away from active politics for an extended period. She eventually took charge of the Congress party.
The autobiography also covers the 2004 Lok Sabha elections and the political developments that followed.
The Congress-led alliance secured an opportunity to form the government after the elections. Sonia Gandhi was widely discussed as a potential prime minister, but she declined to accept the position. Dr Manmohan Singh subsequently became Prime Minister.
The Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) remained in power until 2014.
The Indian edition of the approximately 544-page Belonging: A Journey of Love is being published by HarperCollins India. In the United Kingdom, the book is being published by William Collins, while Alfred A. Knopf is its publisher in the United States.
