Perpetual Conflict in South Asia: Causes, Challenges and Way Forward

Unfortunately after seven decades of independence, Pakistan and India have remained at loggerheads and have not been able to resolved their conflicts. This has made South Asia as one of the most dangerous regions in the world. Both the countries have nuclear arsenals which further increases the risk factor.

In Pakistan there is a vivid difference of opinion in the Civil-Military leadership about India-Pakistan relations. Civilian leadership wants a peaceful resolutionof conflict between both countries so that military’s influence may be brought under control. But, military leadership has been very rigid in its policy and never agrees to any concession offered to India. This difference of opinion hasnot only promoted conflict in South Asia, but Pakistan has experience political instability and military coups.

This paper will focus on the nature of conflict between India and Pakistan and how difference of opinion between civil and military leadership has further promoted the conflict. Paper will also discuss the various attempts by civilian governments to normalize such relations and such attempts were sabotage by the military.