Track Two Diplomacy Between India and Pakistan (Routledge Studies in South Asian Politics)

Track Two Diplomacy between India and Pakistan studies the nature and context of providing an alternative platform for conflict resolution between the two countries.

Considered one of the most intractable conflicts in the world, the India-Pakistan conflict has been defined by casualties, religious extremism, and the looming threat of war. With the conflict playing out against the backdrop of many nationalisms, official Track One diplomacy remains insufficient. The author analyses the role of Track Two diplomacy when official diplomacy remains confined and sensitive to their respective official positions as well as the contribution of maintaining various communication lines intact when official channels are suspended and inaccessible. In this context, this book explores citizen-led diplomatic efforts, probing the economic and ideological forms of power that influence this mode of diplomacy outside governmental channels. The book is a general evaluation of the Track Two process in terms of its achievements, challenges and failures vis-à-vis India and Pakistan.

An original contribution towards the development of a conceptual understanding of Track Two diplomacy, this book will be of interest to researchers studying International Relations, Foreign Politics, South Asian Politics, with particular emphasis on India - Pakistan relations.

‪Samir Ahmad is a US Fulbright Scholar and currently teaches Political Science at the Gandhi Memorial College, India. He was a visiting lecturer at Skidmore College, USA. His research areas are South Asia, Multi-Track Diplomacy, Kashmir Politics, Terrorism, and Security. He participated in several Track Two Diplomatic initiatives within and outside India.