SHAKING HANDS WITH CLENCHED FISTS: THE GRAND TRUNK ROAD TO CONFIDENCE BUILDING MEASURES BETWEEN PAKISTAN AND INDIA

Abstract

The book under review presents an unparalleled account of the nature and
magnitude of CBM’s in the context of divergent relations between India and
Pakistan. It is one of the best historic narrations on the genesis, perspectives and
analysis of CBM’s and foreign policy frameworks. Dr. Khawaja argues that Pakistan
and India still need each other because no one can sideline its geographical
neighbour completely. This fact is transcribed by the long list of CBM’s which are
crying on a brittle milestone of grand trunk road between India and Pakistan.
“Shaking Hands with Clenched Fists” is a unique study on the decades old ignored
CBM’s between two politically and socially hostile nations in South Asia. The book,
very scientifically, cross examines the military, economic, defense, communication,
political, social, religious, maritime, geopolitical CBM’s between India. It has
argued that there still remains a capacity to incorporate engagement for goodwill,
and bilateralism, to bring coherence in the mutualism between Pakistan and India.