Second of my two-part article in the Stimson Center's website, South Asian Voices, June 2, 2014
http://southasianvoices.org/india-pakistan-relations-two-questions-on-the-way-forward-part-ii/
Despite
the agreement on the need for the two countries to engage with each
other, there is a difficult question that remains unanswered. The more
important and possibly more difficult question is “Who does India speak
to within Pakistan?” Does it seek to engage the civilian leadership in
Islamabad or should it accept the ground reality and engage with the
real center of power in Rawalpindi?
The choice
is not a simple one. Engaging with the generals would mean reinforcing
the commonly held perception and result in the weakening of the elected
civilian leadership. In the longer run, the move could prove
counterproductive given the impact that it will have on the democratic
forces which are consolidating their base following the recent
elections.
For the complete article click here
On
April 9, 2015, Pakistan’s Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) put
out two short press releases. The two-line press releases gave the names
of the officers promoted from the rank of Maj. General to Lt. General
and details of key new postings. This was the second major reshuffle
that has taken place in the higher echelons of the Pakistan Army after
General Raheel Sharif took over as the 15th Chief of the Pakistan Army
in November 2013. The article examines the recent appointments within
the Pakistan Army and analyses the changes that have occurred under
current Army Chief Raheel Sharif. Specifically, the possible changes
have occurred within the Strategic Plans Division are assessed and
predictions on the possible choices for the next Army Chief made.This article was published on the Generation Why website, South Asian Voices, Stimson Center, June 5, 2015. It was co-authored with Ms. Ramya P.S, Junior Research Fellow, NIAS