Drawing on the erudition and diplomatic insight of former Vice President of India M. Hamid Ansari,Arguably Contentious: Thoughts on a Divided World presents a compelling exploration of India’s political,social and cultural realities in an era of rapid change. With the measured voice of a statesman andthe depth of a scholar, the book reflects on the challenges confronting Indian democracy: risingsocial divisions, the fragility of secularism, and the contest over the idea of India itself.

Beyond domestic concerns, the book turns a discerning gaze towards global affairs, particularly WestAsia—a region with which India shares enduring civilizational, cultural and strategic ties. Ansari examines the shifting sands of West Asian geopolitics, from the turbulence of the Arab Spring to therecalibration of great power relations, and offers nuanced perspectives on how India can navigatethese complexities while upholding its values and interests.

Blending analysis with historical context, the book brings together the author’s writings, lecturesand speeches to illuminate how diplomacy, pluralism and policy intersect in shaping India’s placein the world.

At once reflective and incisive, this volume invites readers to engage with one of India’s most thoughtfulpublic intellectuals—a voice of reason and restraint—who urges a return to dialogue, constitutionalmorality and international outlook anchored in empathy and engagement rather than expediency.

• A statesman’s perspective, former Vice President of India M. Hamid Ansari. • Insight into India’s evolving realities. • Explores India’s shifting political, social and cultural landscape in a time of deep transformation. • Examines key national challenges: Addresses rising social divisions, the fragility of secularism,and the ongoing contest over the idea of India. • Deep dive into West Asia: Offers sharp analysis of West Asian geopolitics—from the Arab Springto shifting great-power alignments—and their implications for India. • India’s global role reimagined. • Brings together Ansari’s writings, lectures and speeches, offering context, history and livedexperience. • Illuminates how diplomacy, pluralism and governance shape India’s place on the world stage. • A voice of balance and restraint. • Advocates a return to dialogue, constitutional morality, empathy and engagement in public life. • A compelling volume for anyone seeking clarity on India’s democracy, foreign policy and thechallenges of a divided world.

Publisher: Rupa Publications India

Author: M. Hamid Ansari

Pages: 216

ISBN: 9789353528492

Publication Date: 05 January 2026