"In 2002, nuclear-armed adversaries India and Pakistan mobilized for war once again over the long-disputed territory of Kashmir, raising alarm around the globe. Drawing on extensive firsthand experience in the contested region, Sumantra Bose examines how the conflict became a grave threat to South Asia and the world and suggests feasible steps toward peace." "Though the roots of conflict lie in partition of the subcontinent, the contemporary problem owes more to subsequent developments, including the severe authoritarianism of Indian rule; the intricate mix of ethnic, religious, and caste communities that hinders easy solutions; the rise of a Kashmiri independence movement; and the ravages of guerrilla war waged by Islamist groups since 1990. Bose emphasizes that a viable framework for peace must address the sovereignty concerns of both India and Pakistan and take into account conflicting local loyalties and popular aspirations for self-rule. He invokes compelling comparisons to other global hotspots, especially Northern Ireland, that may offer important lessons for a settlement in Kashmir. This book is essential reading for anyone wishing to understand one of the world's most dangerous conflicts."--Jacket.