Shooting for a Century: The India-Pakistan Conundrum

If you're looking for a pithy and to-the-point summation of one of the modern world's longest-lasting rivalries, look no further. One of Professor Cohen's little tongue-in-cheek observations is that several American Presidents have taken it upon themselves to try and solve the India-Pakistan conflict, perhaps with visions of a Nobel Peace Prize dancing before their eyes. In the end, they go on to try and deal with something simple, like the Arab-Israeli struggle. This is one of those international problems that simply refuses to go away, and the causes are many: culture, territorial conflict, a long memory of real and perceived insults and defeats, religion, etc. Add a healthy dose of nuclear weapons, mutual proxy warfare and plenty of nationalist rhetoric and you have a situation that keeps people up at night, not least in the two countries involved. Cohen points out that the difference between the antagonists would seem to play heavily into India's hand, and Pakistan's weaknesses other than military place it almost in the "failed state" category; a struggle that Pakistan can't win and India can't lose. And while some Indians might be willing to simply wait until Pakistan's "inevitable" collapse takes place, Cohen is probably right to point out that Pakistan is "too nuclear to fail." Are there chances for the situation ameliorating? No, probably not, but work can be done to keep it from getting much worse.

The book appears to take a lopsided view of the conflict between these two South Asian neighbours. Cohen seems to be influenced more by prevailing politics than by examining and analysing facts. Every thing Pakistan has done seems wrong to the writer, even the UN resolution on Kashmir has been belittled; Pakistan attempts and initiatives though acknowledged have been summarily dismissed. Everything Indian has been potrayed as logical and rational. The so called a South Asian expert has fallen into the trap where intellectual honesty seems to have been overshadowed by the policy to support India in everything. The author has flown with the partisan tide - perhaps a necessity for a think tank worker!

This is an outstanding book; one of the rare intellectual projects that attempts to understand the reasons for the persistence of the India-Pakistan rivalry for nearly 65 years. It is a major advancement in our understanding of the complex factors involved in the India-Pakistan conflict dynamics. It also offers multiple pathways through which this conflict could be resolved or prolonged. Although the book is not a theory-driven work, it does use some relevant theories, especially towards the end. Its strength lies in bringing out the deep empirical factors, especially from the decades of understanding Prof. Cohen has developed as a result of his interactions with the protagonists from the region as well as US policymakers. It deftly uses published materials from the region to show the differing perspectives of the actors in both countries. South Asia regional specialists, policymakers, and all others interested in enduring rivalries, especially among international relations scholars must take this book seriously.T.V. Paul, James McGill Professor of International Relations, McGill University and author of  The Warrior State: Pakistan in the Contemporary World  Oxford University Press, 2013.

This is an exceptionally clear and cogent analysis of a part of the world that does not get sufficient attention in the United States. India and Pakistan have been in conflict since their inception and there appears to be no prospect for resolution. The history of wars between them is made even more threatening by their possession of nuclear weapons. Mr. Cohen does a masterful job of distilling down his deep knowledge of the region into an organized and insightful analysis accessible even to readers unfamiliar with the region and its history. It is a fascinating story of two countries which profoundly misunderstand each other and, to some extent, themselves. I recommend it highly.

Brilliant book. Highly recommended.

Brilliant book. Highly recommended.

Stephen Cohen, while talking to a Pakistani audience (that has paid his speaking fee) acknowledged that some intellectuals in India also believe that Kashmir issues need to be resolved because it is weighing down India's advancement.But that opinion never shows up in his writings. He knows that if he ever contradicts Indian position on Kashmir, he would become 'persona non-grata' in India, Mr Cohen's main audience.Mr Cohen has written many books for Indian audience, including one predicting that India would be next super power.If you are pro-India and want to hear echo of your own thoughts, go ahead and read this book; you would be happy with it.If you want real critical analysis, look somewhere else.

Can India and Pakistan ever reconcile and move towards peace? The author has tried to answer this intractable conflict which he maintains is almost as bad as the Israel-Palestine issue!Why in his opinion in our communications age of almost transparent people to people contact is the hate not disappearing? It could only mean that the people of both countries are susceptible to their respective countless propaganda which is stopping the relations from getting better.He starts by establishing the context of the conflict. There were three forces vying for power in pre-partition India, the nationalist Congress, nationalist Muslim League and the separatist leaning Independent states, who never wanted to merge either with India or Pakistan. Cohen makes an important observation which as a Pakistani I can vouch for, 'important stories (of the great Partition) of members of both communities who helped and rescued members of different faiths are mostly undocumented. The great authors and cultural figures who recognised and opposed Partition to unmentioned. Even official history projects in both countries pay little attention to these stories and are devoted mainly to building national solidarity around negative distrust or hatred of another religious or ethnic community.' This atmosphere of mutual hate has created a strong prejudice against one another. Cohen makes very astute observations, India has taken the mantle of the Raj dominance, while Pakistan has adopted a defensive Israel like stance. While India shuns outside interference in this regards, Pakistan cultivates it actively. In fact Pakistan is expert in lobbying its defensive position, constantly reminding anyone who listens of its vulnerability and strategic position.Cohen cites three major reasons for the animosity between India and Pakistan, water, Kashmir and Siachin, with no real tangible progress being made on either of the three issues. The only resolution achieved was on Rann of Kutch.So what prevents India and Pakistan from peace? Cohen presents six reasons:-Insecure and distrustful relationship.Both sides threatened for their identities.Time, both are sure that in time other will collapse.Both act as victims.Both feel morally superior to the other.Inability to rely on outsiders to solve the impasse.Overall Cohen is pretty pessimistic that any normalisation of relations can happen by 2047, but his last chapter is an appeal to the US government to be more proactive about initiating some meaningful dialogue between the two archaic enemies.

In the same class as Idea of India and Idea of Pakistan. As expected his analysis of present state of polity and relation between India and Pakistan is very realistic though painful. His prognosis is continuance of cold war for many more decades in view of extreme differences between two nations. The clash of ideas of nationhood, terrorism and Kashmir being the trinity.

This book gives a very detailed analysis of India Pak rivalry history, causes and what can be done by various stakeholders to lessen the tension. although it is not very optimistic about any final, durable solution. I guess it is left up to the readers to decide what can be the best option that they want should be followed from India's perspective out of various options, scenarios described in the book.

This one from Cohen is no simple stuff. It's a thoroughly researched and well thought-out analysis coming from an authority in this field. The best aspect of this book, undoubtedly, is the suggestion he is putting forth as to how to tackle this decades old problem. A must read for anyone interested in knowing more about Indo-pak relations.

Must read for those who want to understand the complex relation of india and Pakistan....