Kashmir at the Crossroads: Inside a 21st-Century Conflict

by Sumantra Bose

[Written] with admirable clarity' Literary Review

'Excellent . . . concise and chilling' Independent

An authoritative, fresh, and vividly written account of the Kashmir conflict?from 1947 to the present.

The India-Pakistan dispute over Kashmir is one of the world’s incendiary conflicts. Since 1990, at least 60,000 people have been killed?insurgents, civilians, and military and police personnel. In 2019, the conflict entered a dangerous new phase. India’s Hindu nationalist government, under Narendra Modi, repealed Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir’s autonomous status and divided it into two territories subject to New Delhi’s direct rule. The drastic move was accompanied by mass arrests and lengthy suspension of mobile and internet services.

In this definitive account, Sumantra Bose examines the conflict in Kashmir from its origins to the present volatile juncture. He explores the global context of the current situation, including China’s growing role, as well as the human tragedy of the people caught in the bitter dispute. Drawing on three decades of field experience in Kashmir, Bose asks whether a compromise settlement is still possible given the ascendancy of Hindu nationalism in India and the complex geopolitical context.

Genres: India, Politics, History, Pakistan

436 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 9, 2021

About the author

Sumantra Bose is an Indian politician scientist and professor of international and comparative politics at the London School of Economics. He specialises in the study of ethnic and national conflicts and their management, with a particular focus on the Indian subcontinent and the former Yugoslavia.

Reviews

[SUNIL SINGH · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sumantra Bose’s *Kashmir at the Crossroads: Inside a 21st-Century Conflict* offers a detailed look at the long-standing conflict in Kashmir. The book is well-researched and tries to explain why the region continues to be a center of tension between India and Pakistan, with the people of Kashmir caught in the middle.

**Understanding the History**

Bose does an excellent job of taking readers through the history of Kashmir, beginning with the partition of India in 1947. He explains how the decisions made during this time, by figures like Maharaja Hari Singh and Jawaharlal Nehru, laid the foundation for the conflict we see today. The book’s strength lies in its ability to break down the complicated political history of the region. Bose provides the reader with a clear sense of how the dispute over Kashmir has dragged on for decades, without any real resolution in sight.

**Looking at the Present**

The book also covers recent events, including India’s decision to revoke Article 370 in 2019, which removed Kashmir’s special status. Bose offers a balanced view, explaining the reasons behind this move but also highlighting its negative impact on the people of Kashmir. He points out that both India and Pakistan have used Kashmir for their own political gains, often ignoring the voices of the Kashmiri people themselves. The heavy military presence and human rights violations in the region are also discussed, with Bose showing how these factors have increased the divide between Kashmiris and the Indian government.

**A Fair but Cautious Critique**

While Bose provides a balanced view, his criticism of India’s actions in Kashmir might feel a bit too mild at times. He mentions the suppression of dissent and lack of political freedom in the region, but doesn’t dive deeply into these issues. Though the book touches on the hardships faced by Kashmiris, it could have done more to explore how ordinary people are affected by the conflict.

**Lack of Global Perspective**

One downside of the book is its limited focus on the global impact of the Kashmir conflict. While Bose thoroughly examines the roles of India, Pakistan, and the region itself, he doesn’t spend much time discussing how other international players, such as China, the US, or the UN, factor into the situation. Including this perspective would have added more depth to the analysis, especially given the nuclear capabilities of India and Pakistan.

**Final Thoughts**

*Kashmir at the Crossroads* is a well-written and informative book, perfect for readers who want to better understand the political and historical factors driving the Kashmir conflict. While Bose offers a lot of valuable insights, the book could benefit from more focus on the everyday lives of Kashmiris and the global implications of the conflict. Nonetheless, it remains a must-read for anyone interested in the region and its complex challenges.

[Aqeel Haider · Rating 4 out of 5]

#BookReview
#Nonfiction

𝙆𝙖𝙨𝙝𝙢𝙞𝙧 𝘼𝙩 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘾𝙧𝙤𝙨𝙨𝙧𝙤𝙖𝙙𝙨 by 𝙎𝙪𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙧𝙖 𝘽𝙤𝙨𝙚
(Inside A 21st-Century Conflict)

I was expecting it biased book as Indians tend to write down usually. But it proved me wrong, I must say.

The book is divided into five chapters, mostly covering the timeline till 5th August 2019 and its aftermath.

Genesis of Kashmir dispute and uprising till 1947-89. It mostly covers the role of the India-Pakistan dispute origins from Dogra Raj. Native people's indigenous movement against Dogra rule for independence and role of National Conference of Muhammad Abdullah (political dynasty).1948 war between Indo-Pak and subsequently 1965 ,1971 war impacts on Jammu & Kashmir.

The Carnage 1990-2004 highlights insurgency and then Pakistan's active role in it. JKLF, Lej and LeT waging Jihad on Kashmiri front. Indian proxies in Kashmir. Indians' mass Human rights violations and killing of Kashmiris, Kargil debacle and Vajpayee-Nawaz declaration.

Stone pelter area covers 2005-2019 pre-article 370 and 35(A) revocation. Cover back channel diplomacy from the Manmohan-Musharaf era. But sealed the fate of Jammu & Kashmir after the 2008 Mumbai attacks.

The Hindu nationalist offensive on Jammu & Kashmir and massive Human rights violations by CAPFs , CRPF and Rashtriya Rifles... internet and communications shutdown.. enacted black laws for Social and print media. Political dissents and aligned politicians both enslaved to Indian jails away from Kashmir valley.

21st-century conflict impact on Ladakh and Akasi Chin. China's emergence on the conflict horizon..US role and way forward for resolution of conflict through mutual understanding and diplomacy.

#Recommended
#Thanks

[Hemang · Rating 1 out of 5]

Propaganda book.

[Praveen Kishore · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read.

[Michael Vela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wanted a better understanding of the history of the Kashmir conflict as a result of the recent attack and brief India-Pakistan exchange of fire. Good dive into the history of modern Kashmir from partition up until the 2020s though a bit biased from India’s perspective I feel. Gives good information on Kashmir politics and the tightening of Delhi’s control especially under the BJP, but doesn’t delve too much into Pakistan’s role or the perspective of Kashmiris themselves.

[Steven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kashmir at the Crossroads is a great book to read if you want an in depth study on the Kashmir conflict in India. I found about the various players in this, one of the most volatile places on earth. Clear and concise, with many acronyms, it is a book that is informative and interesting. This book starts with the partition in 1947 and all the way to 2021.

[Tariq Aziz · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the beginning of the issue, to the present day, how it may develop ahead and possible solutions; Samantra Bose has beautifully & lucidly covered it in a book.