Neither a Hawk nor a Dove : An Insider’s Account Of Pakistan’s Foreign Policy

by Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri

books

Genres: Pakistan, History, Nonfiction, Politics, Current Affairs, India

452 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2015

About the author

Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri hails from an illustrious political family of Pakistan which played an important role in the subcontinent's Independence Movement. He was educated at the Universities of Punjab, Cambridge, and Oxford, and was called to the Bar from Gray's Inn, London.
Kasuri took part in various political movements for democracy in Pakistan including the PNA (Pakistan National Alliance), MRD (Movement for the Restoration of Democracy), and the PDA (Pakistan Democratic Alliance). Like his father, uncle, and grandfather who were active in the Independence Movement and for which they underwent imprisonment, Khurshid Kasuri was also incarcerated for his political activities. He strongly believes in Jinnah's vision of a pluralistic, progressive, and inclusive Pakistan. He tendered his resignation from the National Assembly when Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif wanted to push through the 15th Amendment which Kasuri regarded as reactionary and contrary to Jinnah's vision.
Kasuri served as Pakistan's Foreign Minister from 2002-07. He assumed office in the immediate aftermath of 9/11 when Pakistan faced challenges with the US, India, and Afghanistan.
Khurshid Kasuri is currently Chairman of the Regional Peace Institute, an Islamabad based think tank. He is Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) Senior Advisor on Political and International Affairs, Chairman of its Task Force on Kashmir, and a member of the party's Core Committee.

Reviews

[Sameed · Rating 2 out of 5]

TLDR: This book presents the government's version of history which is more fiction than fact.


K. M. Kasuri, is the quintessential Pakistani establishment. Throughout this book, has tried to absolve the Pakistani Armed forces for the failure of the peace negotiation process with India. The author has deliberately ignored the plethora of evidence which indicates Pakistan's complicity in the Mumbai attacks. The entire book has tried to deliberately ignore facts and has tried to paint a picture of the Pakistani leadership which is not accurate in the slightest.

The author has had close relations with multiple high ranking officers in the Pakistan army. And remains committed to the what Hussain Haqqani calls "magnificent delusions". The author has repeatedly asserted that the top brass of the armed forces is committed to peace with India yet facts, such as the recent Dawn Leaks, tell us a very different story.

Mr. Kasuri also contends that during Gen. Pervaiz Musharraf's rule Pakistan was truly committed to the war on terror. He also believes that the Taliban insurgency was/is indigenous. Needless to say, the arguments and opinions presented in this book could not be further from the truth. The author might as well have written fiction.

[Hemant Kanakia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wished Mr. Kasturia had taken time to do a better job of writing about these years he was Foreign Secretary. There is too much of 'I' on each page. It would have been better if he had put some distance, stop being an actor and more of an observer. At times, it reads like a very jaundiced view of the history. He is certainly explaining Pakistani elite point of view. Nor does he miss chance of telling the prod that Pakistan is so eager for peace, but, then he glosses over obstacles created by its own military and ISI's complicity in creating terrorist framework and supporting the use of terror as a weapon to fight battles - the battle that variously describes as just and battle of liberation of Kashmir. Yet, there is little of views of what Kashmiris want that is coming thru in his narrative. There also appears nothing new in formulae for peace that he claims can be achieved. Much deeper understanding of Pakistan and what shapes its foreign policies is to be gained by reading the book - the Pakistan paradox - by Christophe Jeffrelot. I read that book first and then I started on this one and quickly got bored. Abandoned it after 250 pages.

[Bredo Erichsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading 1/7 it seems very good. All is seen from a Pakistan angel, but I will read other books later to get a second opinion

[Manoj Chacko · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a very easy read compared to Jaswants Sinhas 'Jinnah' or Shashi Tharoors 'Pax India'. There are many punch lines and statements that are monotonously repeated that you wonder if you are re-reading the chapter, perhaps the benchmark set by the above authors waters down the literary quality of Khurshid's writings.

Though the central focus in the book is about India-Pakistan political relationship it also touches on the similarities between both the countries, how hazy the border really is and also how complex politics in general is. The world is so interconnected and interdependent and any shift in balance causes major repercussions in unexpected areas.

Kasuri has bared some bones on the games Indian politicians play while being very diplomatic in revealing the dirty secrets of Pakistan politics. (This is understandable as we know what happened after Jaswant book and after Advani spoke positively about Jinnah). There is also a surprising omission on references to Indira Gandhi while most other PM from Nehru onwards are recalled.

Its a good book to get a perspective from the other side of the fence and also understand some of the challenges Pakistan faces in their other boarders as well. Its also interesting to read Khurshid acknowledging Pakistan teaching incorrect history in school books which ends up with them having no cultural legacy of their own.

It also sets you thinking on what the reality is as most of us are also conditioned by doctored news, social media propaganda and expert analysis, perhaps no one really knows the reality, maybe not even the rulers of both the countries in the end you have to really think who is actually ruling the countries as well!

[Zahid Ramzan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the name to begin with, it is a good book for Indo-Pak readers.

[Deepanker Kaul · Rating 2 out of 5]

Find my full review at deepankerkaul.blogspot.in/2016/12/rev...

[Yassar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worth reading books. It explicitly contains all the factors relating to foreign affairs of pakistan especially . Kashmir problem its cause and solution both are deliberately discussed by Khurshid. The last chapter discuss and eradicate the myth that pak foreign policy is run by army. It also negate that we don’t have superior breed of diplomats, writer throw some light that how effectively our diplomats( foreign office) managed to kept kashmir issue alive for such a long time , it also highlight the success of our foreign policy that pak was able to keep good relation with both china and US despite the fact that both were en during mao’s china.

[Sani Raza Khanani · Rating 4 out of 5]

It covers Pakistan Relations with India , US , China , Islamic World. Important chapters covers War in Afghanistan , Rivalry with India and also unsuccessful peace initiatives between two South Asian Nuclear Armed Neighbors.

The important highlight of this book is the details of Kashmir Framework a initiative by both Pakistan and India towards a possible solution of the Kashmir Dispute.

The opinion about this book can differ whether you are a Hawk or a Dove , Indian or Pakistani but regardless of that it is an important contribution towards understanding Pakistan and its Strategic Policy.

[Junnaid Javed · Rating 1 out of 5]

Self aggrandisement at its finest, filled with duplication and seems like just a compilation of minutes of meetings. One expects better from a foreign minister.
Best use of the book is to look at the bibliography to find better materials on the topic.

[Samran Salik · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first couple of chapters are pretty boring but then it gets better. A lot of important information on Indo-Pak dialogue process and the Kashmir dispute.

[Saqib Kataria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite good relating to the progress of Pak-India bilateral relations during the Musharraf era. However, in the book Kasuri tries his best for personal elevation.