Paper short abstract:

The paper sheds light on major current challenges in India-Pakistan relations in the context of regional geopolitical dynamics and internal challenges.

Paper long abstract:

Dynamically evolving internal and external political factors should be taken into consideration while discussing the prospects of improving the conflict-prone India-Pakistan relations. This analysis enables to draw explicit conclusion: peace in the Subcontinent is highly elusive and will remain so in the foreseeable future. The major factors contributing to this fact are elaborated in the paper. The attention is focused on issues which hinder progress in improving bilateral relations. The following problems/questions will be raised:

- The extremist non-state actors in the context of rising terrorist threat. Prospects for curbing on the activity of terrorist outfits in Pakistan with reference to the strategy of Pakistani military and civilian leadership.

- Growing religious radicalization and nationalism in both India and Pakistan in the context of structural differences between the two states and its impact on religious minorities.

- The significance of China/Afghanistan factors, with special reference to: 1). China-Pakistan joint security/trade related projects; 2). The strategy of India and Pakistan towards Afghanistan after NATO/ISAF troops withdrawal.

- Kashmir issue as the crucial point of reference in India's and Pakistan's regional security strategy. The historically-inherited, protracted conflict has had a direct impact on shaping security situation in South Asia since 1947. Although it entered phases of escalation and de-escalation, both sides have not managed to come up with solution acceptable for India, Pakistan and the Kashmiris. Moreover, it serves as an excuse for those elements of establishments in both states which are not interested in improving bilateral relations.