Neither a hawk, nor a dove – Indo-Pak relations through Kasuri’s eyes

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Former foreign minister Khurshid Kasuri has urged Pakistan and India to show restraint since both are nuclear powers and equally capable of destabilizing one another. He makes this point in his forthcoming book ‘Neither a hawk, nor a dove’ to be published by the end of January.

Kasuri is of the view that India and Pakistan have no option but to opt for a peaceful solution to not only Jammu and Kashmir, but also all the other issues that plague the two countries. They have no other recourse but to act responsibly since the fate of around 1.5 billion people from the two nations hangs in the balance.

Interestingly, the title of Kasuri’s book ‘Neither a hawk, nor a dove’ is based on the first line written in Musharraf’s book where he has quoted his first meeting with Kasuri, who was the newly appointed  foreign minister back then, and asked him pointedly, “Are you a hawk or a dove in India, Kasuri Sahib?”

The book contains the first ever insider account on the backchannel negotiations on Kashmir, and the peace process during the 2000s. The ‘backchannel process’ during Kasuri’s tenure, along with the peace process during the same time, is acknowledged as the most successful the two countries have ever enjoyed. Both Musharraf and Manmohan Singh have gone on record to confirm this. These efforts increased the quantum of trade between the two nations. They also helped usher in a period of cease fire on the LoC which lasted for almost 10 years, which is in great contrast when compared with the current state of hostility.

Kasuri has updated the book to contain information till November 2014 including the advent of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the current policies of the new Indian government. He has analysed the situation regarding the latest developments in India and Afghanistan, and has commented on Pak-US relations based on his experience of dealing with these countries as foreign minister.

The book is being published worldwide by the Oxford University Press and by Penguin in India.

6 COMMENTS

  1. The books seems to be interesting but obviously a through review is only possible after going through it. Pakistan and India the historical rival since the partition of the subcontinent are still in a phase of rivalry and animosity because of the remaining parts of the subcontinent to be undivided. And the most boiling issue is obviously none other than Kashmir. Pakistan being a peaceful state and also optimistic regarding extension of relations with regional and international partners have always pursued the policies of peace and dialogues in order to seek for a permanent resolution to the issues. But India on the other hand found to be rejecting the proposals and determined to continue with its harsh policies and aggressive postures. South Asia is the region which is predominately depends on the policies of India and Pakistan, any type of relations between the two would also left mark on the overall security and stability architecture of the region.

  2. Yes we are looking forward for this book as a kind of operational deliberation on Indo-Pak within the parameters of diplomacy. Being nuclear weapon state, both well realized the importance of deterrence but Modi upshot actually posed many questions on this nuclear deterrence posture. War is not an option and diplomacy is the ultimate option to settle the almost century old contentious issues.

  3. Both states are the regional powers of the South Asia and nuclear powers. Pakistan’s civil establishment along with the military has been consistent in offering the peace talks and arms control treaties to India. Unfortunately Indian ambitions of becoming global power and having hegemony in South Asia to coerce the other states to follow Indian commands have been the hurdle in peace. Pakistan has clearly rejected the notion of submission and will defend its sovereignty.

  4. With both Indian and Pakistani military budgets – and nuclear stockpiles – increasing, South Asia is heading towards a nuclear arms race, endangering the stability of the region and its economic integration. All of these issues have direct repercussions for South Asia’s security and well-being, and will require concerted and protracted negotiation and cooperation. In the current circumstances, it is more than the requirement. India and Pakistan has to sit and resolve their disputes otherwise growing intensity of conflicts can lead to a nuclear war.

  5. Foreign policy is nothing but an extension of domestic policy. To be at peace with your neighours you have to at peace at home. This is not the case in Pakistan. We are fighting a war for survival of the state at home. India is in no hurry. Hawks on both the side are not interested. Small issues like Siachin Glacier cannot be tackled what to speak of Kashmir. Whether we like it or not India is a global power and the whole world acknowledges it. Let us not indulge in the utopia of nuclear bombs –it is an old story. For a change let us stop nurturing the cobras in our backyard who we thought will bite our enemies but have started biting us.

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