Strong relations with India would help offset strains in Washington’s relations with China. At the same time, it would reinforce the overall security balance in the Asian continent. However, the love-hate relationship between the US and Pakistan continues to be an aberration in the entire repertoire of diplomacy.

In a well-written book, titled “Atankvad: Ameriki Bhoorajniti – Kuchh Anuttarit Prashna” by the renowned Hindi author, H.K.Nigam gives little hope of any compromise between the two hating nations, India and Pakistan. Kashmir has always been the central issue for the past five decades – eversince Independence and partition.

The author projects the US as being keen to keep the errant Pakistan that has survived on hatred for India, under leash. Far from what the Americans have expressed in terms of wanting to see India and Pakistan settle the Kashmir issue bilaterally, the geopolitical interest of the US points to its fear of closer ties between India and Russia.

His slim book is packed with lesser-known facts relating to cross-border terrorism as well as resurgence across the countries in Central Asia. Much is based on wide ranging documentation from the international media.

Mr. Nigam projects in his essays America’s fear over the prospect of Russian revival of ties with an economically growing India. The author further highlights the US’s eagerness to have a foothold in both India and Pakistan over the Kashmir issue. The latter is seen as a meeting point for several regional powers keen to assert themselves.

Incisive in analysing the geopolitics in the region, Mr.Nigam’s work is an exposure of current deadly mix of ideology and extremism. His highly emotive rhetoric emphasises the perils faced by India following the military take-over of Pakistan.

The book unfolds a grim overview of cross-border Narco-terrorism as well as the hysterical outbursts that justifies a holy war, Jehad. These, explained Mr. Nigam, are plain symptoms of a rogue state, failing to conform to the norms of an open, liberal and civil society.

Pakistan is clearly using Afganistan issue as a launching pad to keep the insurgency in Kashmir alive. Mr. Nigam concludes with a warning for India to take a fresh look at its defence strategies. These he felt ought to change in keeping with its need to meet an aggressive, paranoid and wily neighbour.

                                                                                 - Freny Patel