India-Pakistan Rivalry: Endless Duel?

摘要

The enduring rivalry between India and Pakistan has produced a substantial literature over the years. The books under review show how much the conflict remains center stage. The India-Pakistan border, described as the world's most dangerous place by President Clinton in 2000, remains as tense as ever after seven decades, its volatility sustained by clashing national identities and the continual tussle over Kashmir. The authors come from diverse backgrounds. Dilip Hiro was born amidst the turbulence of Partition - the violent sundering of India and Pakistan at the moment of independence from British rule - and travelled to India as a refugee and eventually became a London-based journalist. Husain Haqqani, a man of many parts, has served as political advisor to two Pakistani prime ministers, as diplomat, and as academic. Sumit Ganguly, a senior American academic, has written extensively on the international politics of South Asia over several decades. The three books reflect their authors' professional backgrounds. While there is little that is factually new in these volumes, the reader's interest centers on the thrust of their writing.