Paper short abstract:

This paper examines the causes of rift between India and Pakistan in terms of language, religion, state structure, democratic culture, militarization, nuclearisation and the contentious issue of Kashmir, and its implications for regional security. Dr. Veena Ravikumar. ravikumar.veena@gmail.com

Paper long abstract:

India Pakistan relations have such a tumultuous graph that it seems a dangerous proposition to predict an outcome. In the international relations of south Asia, India and Pakistan form unhappy components of the large, almost continental mass. The history of both impinges on each other and impacts the rest of the nations in this region. The complexity of the relationship has caused hardened analysts to give up hope of any solution while cynics have said that this will continue, and that there is no end to the skirmishing of issues, big or small. It however remains imperative that the relationship be changed to a more harmonious one.

The main problem is based on history which has interceded and interfered with the growth of both these nations. This paper proposes to examine the causes for rift between the two nations: the notion of language and religion leading to conflicting identities; state structure- authoritarian/democratic; religion - Islam/Hinduism (growing fundamentalism in both religions); lack of democratic culture; militarization of Pakistan army; Kashmir: a reason keeping apart both nations; nuclearisation: an element of insecurity.

Lastly, but not the least, the human relations or confidence building measures have now become more important than ever, if there is ever to be an iota of rational dialogue to continue between the two nations. Moreover, relations between the two, ipso facto, impact and permeate other nations in this region, which in turn has an impact on international relations.

Dr. Veena Ravikumar

ravikumar.veena@gmail.com