Ruchi Ghanashyam was in Pakistan at an exciting time, when India and Pakistan fought a war, became overt nuclear weapon states, when Pakistan underwent a military coup, and when IC 814 was hijacked to Kandahar. Ghanashyam was an astute observer and participant in these events. In addition to the already onerous professional challenges that an Indian diplomat faces in Pakistan, and the exceptional circumstances of her posting, she had the further complexities of being a modern Indian woman in a traditional patriarchal society, with the demands of raising a family. It is only right that this deft and accessible book should bring to the general public what some of us in the foreign service have long known-the aplomb, yet modesty, with which the author dealt with these challenges and turned them into opportunities and served the national interest. This is a book to instruct diplomats, delight the general reader and inspire women of all ages. -- Shivshankar Menon, former foreign secretary and national security adviser of India

This is a memoir that brings life to the tangled complexities of a relationship between two neighbours who have remained adversaries throughout their history as independent nations. With skilled expertise, born of her years as a professional diplomat, Ruchi Ghanashyam weaves the tapestry of a life lived through various settings and scenarios in Pakistan. Her diplomatic tenure in Islamabad was witness to key, fundamental milestones in the relationship. This is more than a ringside view; it is a living history told with the skill of keen observation and profound insight. The fact that the writer served as an Indian woman diplomat navigating the daily challenges of her work in Pakistan, makes this fascinating story doubly compelling. -- Nirupama Rao, former foreign secretary

Ruchi Ghanashyam’s tenure in Pakistan witnessed a pronounced see-saw in bilateral relations from the nuclear tests to Prime Minis