Since the 2008 Mumbai attacks, the India - Pakistan rivalry has been pushed to the fore of the security agendas of both countries particularly India. Until the Attacks, the general mood in India was one of resilience despite a series of terrorist activities throughout 2008. Since then, given the dramatic nature of the operation and the visibility given by the sensationalist Indian media establishment; the Indian government has been forced to walk a tight line between domestic demands for action against the militants based in Pakistan and reported American demands for restraint in what would be a devastating blow to the campaign in Afghanistan.

While the balancing act seems to have worked thus far, with economics and the alarming food inflation taking precedence in the Indian political discourse; there is a great deal of uneasiness and anger in India. A fresh round of terrorist attacks could push the thus unusually restrained Indian Public into a state of mind similar to that of the US in the weeks after 9/11; demanding retribution. If all of this happened at around election time, political necessities may dictate that a more aggressive stance vis a vis Pakistan be taken.

Since the onus would be on India to make the first move, the Pakistani Army would then be in a position to hold back and wait for an excuse to move away from their western problems and look towards the place where they want to be - the Indian Border.

While the article makes reference to the slowly emerging peace that developed during last Musharraf days it must be noted at the time the Phantom Limb in this scenario - the US, was away in Iraq ignoring the Afghanistan War. Their absence and India's then booming economy, combined with India's strategic investments in Afghanistan and the declining Pakistani economy created a situation where the Pakistani establishment had little choice but to sue for peace with the emerging economic behemoth at its doorstep. America's renewed interest in Pakistan has radically changed all of that, by shoring up its economy and offering its support in its dealings with India, re-balancing the geopolitics in that region and removing the necessity for dialogue, especially on the Pakistani side.

The shift in policy towards "Af-Pak" and the perceived decline in the centrality of India in US foreign policy; has affected the love affair that the Indian Public has generally had in the Bush years with America. The post-Mumbai investigations that led to Pakistan and the lack of willingness to push that country into delivering significant steps against the terrorists based in Pakistan have not helped America's image in India much either; especially when contrasted with America's stance and rhetoric post 9/11.

Since the US is the hidden one third of the problem, the solution also rests with it. America needs to put far more pressure on the Pakistan security establishment to demonstrate that it is serious about dealing with terrorism to the Indian Public, while addressing the confidence problem it has with the Indian Voter if it needs to lay to rest any serious chances of South Asia flaring up again.

Nischal R Buddhavarapu

During Mushrraf era, India DID miss a golden chance to make a peace agreement on the vexed issue of Kashmir with Pakistan. Having said that, even U.S ( and other major ISAF nations in Afghanistan) after a decade of operation in Afghanistan, should have by now realized that Pakistan as a neighbour is a NIGHTMARE scenario for any country. For a Muslim country it has more radicalized per head population than any where else in the earth. The Urdu press is almost controlled by religious parties and they spew venom on India, U.S & even Israel for all the accrued problems of Pakistan! Their education system is in shambles and civilian rulers have little control over their military or their notorious spy agency - ISI. Unfortunately Pakistan is a nuclear nation and has an all weather friend in China, which add to leverage to its self appointed nuisance role - even more than warranted!

Actually India has not accepted Pakistan as a separate nation yet and Indians are still trying their best to eliminate the Pakistan from the map of the world and in response Pakistan is doing its best to survive. But one thing is sure that it is not 1947 or 1971, no one country will accept further partitions of their countries and for that they can go upto any limit.
I believe this rivalry between India and Pakistan is very very dangerous for world. It is because of this rivalry there is no piece in Afganistan because India is using Afganistan to destabalise Pakisgtan by supporting and funding Pakistani Talabans and millitants in pakistani province of Balochistan and because of this fact Pakistan is not fully onboard in the war against terrrorism in Afganistan
I believe if we want peace in the world we must do something to resolve the issues between India and Pakistan. By just closing eyes the danger wont go away. If there is war between them now who knows in the presence of worlds dangerous weapons what would be the result, not thousand but millions of innocent people gona die on both sides.