Peace and Co-operation in South Asia

The controversial advent of India and Pakistan into the global nuclear club following the nuclear tests of mid-1998, and the subsequent complications in Indo-Pak relations brought South Asia into the international limelight with literally a bang. In the immediate post-tests period, a series of confidence-building measures were initiated by governments of both countries, giving rise to a multitude of hopes for future peace and co-operation in the subcontinent.

But soon thereafter, the Kargil war materialised and the political climate in Pakistan changed drastically. Not surprisingly, India and Pakistan continue to disagree more obdurately and fiercely than ever before, on the resolution of the long-standing Kashmir dispute and other related issues, such as terrorist activities and arms proliferation in the Kashmir valley. The rude awakening of major global powers into the world of terrorism since the events of September 2001, has compelled greater attention to South Asia as well.

This book gives an introduction to the main propositions along with an overview of South Asia as a whole. It continues with country-specific profiles and inter-state-relations followed by an in-depth evaluation of the Indo-Pak arms race, and the nuclear developments in both countries. Finally, it deals with two related points: first, the levels of order, welfare and legitimacy in South Asia and second, the issue of 'region-ness' of South Asia - thereby highlighting the problematic areas as well as the prospects of co-operation.