Umbreen Javaid South Asian Stability: Issues in Peace-building The relationship between the two largest powers of South Asia - India and Pakistan have held hostage not only the prosperity, but the peace of the region as well. Combined they constitute more than 1/5th of the world's population, a large part of which is destined to live in miserable conditions below the poverty line. The immense natural and human resources of the Sub-continent continue to remain untapped, mainly owing to the animosity between the two nuclear arch rivals. While three major wars and numerous smaller armed confrontations dominate their history of troubled co-existence, there have also been efforts to normalize relations through dialogue. However, it is appreciable that both sides have finally realized the gravity of the situation, especially India. A dialogue has been initiated towards the resolution of all outstanding issues including Kashmir. This dialogue includes the people from both sides leading to people to people contact, which has made the possibility of resolving the problems at the grass root level for the very first time. The relations between India and Pakistan are hanging-on a thin thread, a misperception or misjudgment on part of any one country may lead to a damaging effect on the ongoing peace process in South Asia. Presently, the two states are marching through an episode of peace-building. Having completed the initial rounds of composite dialogue, the Foreign Secretaries of India and Pakistan again met in New Delhi in January this year to start the third round. While it is heartening to remember that despite some peripheral developments threatened to derail the peace process, the two neighbours have been able to sustain the goodwill created on both sides, the frustration is growing for the failure of the parties to make any substantial headway on any of the major issues, including Kashmir. The composite dialogue at present seems to be moving ahead at a slow pace which, at times brings
44 [J.R.S.P., Vol. XXXXII, No. 2, 2005] disillusionment amongst the people of two countries. While Kashmir undisputedly is the central issue be devilling the relations of India and Pakistan, the bilateral relations are also marred by many other disputes, including Siachen Glacier conflict, Wullar Lake Barrage, Baglihar Dam, Sir Creek issue and Kishan Ganga Project. In addition to these disputes, the two states are engaged in an arms race, which involves the nuclear equation as well. This study is focused to give a comprehensive purview of all these issues, which the two neighbours would have to surmount to usher in a new era of understanding and cooperation for the optimum realization of their true potential of peace, stability and prosperity. The Kashmir Dispute The single most important issue between India and Pakistan is the dispute over the state of Jammu and Kashmir. It has become one of the most disputed issues of the world, which has been holding the fate of over billion people in its grip.' The seeds of this issue were laid at the partition