Rising India’s Pakistan Problem

Stephen P. Cohen and Rohan S. Sandhu

International Studies, 2010, vol. 47, issue 2-4, 413-433

Abstract: This article identifies the persistent India–Pakistan rivalry as a paired minority conflict and argues that, as the predominant actor, India needs to shed its historical complexes and engage Pakistan proactively. By transcending its traditional reluctance, fears and prejudices, India must demonstrate that it can make use of its recently established economic and socio-political clout to be a dominant force in the region. A review of different scenarios for the future of Pakistan and possible Indian responses to another terrorist attack on Mumbai indicates that India’s best option would be to evolve a multilevel and long-term ‘carrot and stick’ strategy towards its neighbour. Beyond ineffectual Track II dialogues, an excessive focus on Kashmir and myopic decisions determined by domestic contingencies, India needs to build the necessary trust and solve its Pakistan problem by focusing on deeper economic interdependence and sustained civil society contacts, and revive its nuclear disarmament plans.

Keywords: Terror attacks; globalization; nuclearization; pragmatism; economic relations; militarization; Talibanization (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2010
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:intstu:v:47:y:2010:i:2-4:p:413-433

DOI: 10.1177/002088171104700422

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