BharatPak Sambandh

Certain assumptions are often made about India-Pakistan relations: first, ordinary people in India and Pakistan desire to connect, but governments prevent this; second, a new generation of Indians and Pakistanis can break down old prejudices; third, general economic and technical cooperation, supported by cultural and intellectual contacts, can improve mutual relations. This book makes a significant effort to examine the validity of these assumptions. So far, memories of Partition have not faded, nor has prejudice been overcome. Pakistan harbors serious apprehensions about economic relations with India, fearing exploitation and oppression by its larger neighbor. It would be logical to assume that the information revolution and economic globalization could force Pakistan and India to change their attitudes and policies. However, these assumptions changed dramatically after the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001. Two months later, India-Pakistan tensions reached a boiling point following the attack on the Indian Parliament. General Musharraf now faces a dilemma. If he wishes to remain in power, he cannot go beyond a point of opposing Islamic fundamentalists in his country. On the other hand, he must also heed international pressure, led by the United States, to distance India from religious fanaticism and terrorism. Thus, India-Pakistan relations appear to have reached another crucial turning point. From the book by D.C.