While tomes have been written on India-Pakistan relations in general or on specific issues related thereto, there is hardly any book devoted to analysing the various disputes which have bedevilled ties betwixt them since 1947 to date. India-Pakistan Relations: A Saga of Unending Disputes, attempts to fill this gap. It`s eighteen chapters address major disputes, like “the Sharing of River Waters”, minor ones like “Jinnah House”, and even a few issues like “Kalat” which, though not  disputed, help bring out the sharply differing mind sets of India and Pakistan.

In the process, the book teases out the many constants—often starkly contrasting—in the policies of the two countries towards each other. In Pakistan’s case these have constituted an inveterate hostility towards India, making issues out of non issues, observance of double standards, the relentless pursuit of a maximalist agenda, repeated violation of agreements, playing the victim card, and vilifying India through a narrative based on falsehoods and halftruths.

India, on its part, ever on the lookout for compromise, more often than not, has bent over backwards to meet Pakistani demands showing a generosity rarely exhibited by a stronger power vis a vis a weaker one. It has, generally, been averse to taking punitive action against Pakistan for its efforts to undermine India barring, to an extent, under the Modi Government.

This book is an essential read for policy makers, academics, and analysts, providing a new lens to interpret the many disputes that have long characterised India Pakistan relations and to help fashion future trajectories.

Satish Chandra joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1965 and till 1989 was posted in various capacities in Indian missions in Vienna, Karachi, Washington D.C., Algiers, and Dhaka as well as at headquarters. Subsequently, he served as India’s Ambassador to the Philippines (1989-1992), its Permanent Representative to the UN Offices in Geneva (1992-1995) and its High Commissioner to Pakistan (1995-1998). In 1999, he set up the NSCS heading it as Secretary till demission from office in February 2005. Simultaneously, he was Chairman, of the Joint Intelligence Committee, and from February 2002 to February 2005 was concurrently the Deputy National Security Advisor.

Apart from representing India at a variety of multilateral fora such as the Committee on Surplus Disposal, the World Health Organisation, the International Labour Organisation, the UN Human Rights Commission, the Disarmament Commission etc, he served as the President of the Conference on Disarmament during his assignment in Geneva.

He was President of the Association of Indian Diplomats in 2010, and having been associated with Vivekananda International Foundation since its inception in 2009, is currently the Vice Chairman of its Executive Committee.