Kashmir in the Shadow of War: Regional Rivalries in a Nuclear Age

Description

This timely study examines the Indian-Pakistani conflict over Kashmir as this long-standing confrontation between regional rivals became inflamed. It focuses on the period from the effective nuclearization of the dispute in 1998 to the introduction of U.S. troops into the region in connection with the war in Afghanistan. Four chapters take on key problems illustrated by this case: Regional rivalry, Intervention, Religious conflicts, Conflict resolution. The author is an advocate of international intervention in regional conflicts and does not think that leaving the contesting parties to settle their dispute (a sort of benign neglect) is a responsible U.S. policy. Cover Half Title Title Copyright Dedication Contents Preface Introduction 1. The Problem of Regional Rivalry: The "Nuclearization" of the Kashmir Dispute Regional Diplomacy—The Revival of India-Pakistan Talks Composite Dialogue: The "Two Plus Six" Formula "Bus Diplomacy" and the Lahore Declaration Back-Channel Diplomacy and the "Chenab Plan" Nuclear Brinkmanship on the Line of Control Roots of Kargil Kargil and Nuclear Deterrence Toward Dialogue—Cease-Fire Diplomacy and the Agra Summit War on Terrorism—Common Cause Against Osama and the Taliban? Nuclear Stalemate Over Kashmir 2. The Problem of Global Intervention: The "Internationalization" of the Kashmir Dispute Global Diplomacy—The "Virtual" Mediation of Kargil The Washington Joint Statement Kashmir on the International Agenda—Reticence to the Rescue Great Power Disarray Indian Regional Dominance Kashmir in American Foreign Policy—Taking Sides? India vs. Pakistan: From Clinton to Bush In Afghanistan's Shadow—The Deepening Contradictions of Kashmir Pakistan: Frontline Ally or Axis of the Islamic Jehad? 3. The Problem of Religious Identity: Faultline Politics in a Disputed Territory Faultline Politics I—Religion in Kashmiri Identity Kashmir's Ethno-Religious Diversity The Culture of Kashmiriyat Faultline Politics II—Religion in Kashmiri Separatism Debating Separatism's Roots: Secular Forces Debating Separatism's Roots: Religious Forces Faultline Politics III—Religion in State Strategies Toward Kashmir Religion in Pakistan's State Strategy Religion in India's State Strategy India: Nationalizing or Supranational State? 4. The Problem of Conflict Resolution: The Autonomy Puzzle Autonomy's Global Appeal Autonomy for Kashmir? The Autonomy Committees' Reports Autonomy—The Way Forward? Beyond Autonomy Bilateralism's Infirmities Outlines of a Multilateral Strategy Conclusion Notes Index About the Author