2003-01-03 Easy to read analysis

Ganguly's book is very easy to read (you could do it in one sitting), packed full of references and notes, contains copies of historical records and gives an insight into the Jammu & Kashmir issues that have been around since the partition of India in 1947.

In its favour, the book tends to offer a balanced view: giving an on/off assessment of superpower support for Pakistan and India (e.g. depending upon the status of South Asia in US foreign policy) and how this has led to either India or Pakistan taking a lead in creating hostility. The book revealingly shows how much the conflict is embedded in historical and poitical intransigence: self views of each country that have no real bearing to reality and how much these self-images lead to myopic action. Pakistan's claim to a single Muslim state to which Kashmir belongs is betrayed by the way East Pakistanis (now Bangladeshis) were treated. India's reluctance to give way is an indication of the tenuous grasp India has on its multiple communities. If it give in to Kashmir, it fears there will be a free for all (e.g. from Tamils and Sikhs) wanting heir own homeland.

However, the book does have weaknesses. One is a matter of content: in such a small book you cannot expect in depth economic analysis. The arguments and explanations tend to be political and military giving it (at times) a superficial feel. Another weakness, I think is style of language. Better editing would avoid the continued use of uncommon terms. There was one too many use of the word malfeasance for me as well as the use of a ridiculous word to describe not bearing fruit (find it for yourself).

Nevertheless, if you read this in conjunction with other books on Indian and Pakistani history, it offers a reasonable insight into why this conflict is likely to remain unending. The book also serves (for me) as a testament on how countries, companies and people just get it completely wrong in assessing how they are perceived by their wider communities.