Chronology of Conflict and Cooperation in South Asia 1947-2001 is a modest effort of the research team
under the Program on Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution, Department of International Relations, University of Karachi to provide information to readers who are interested in exploring why South Asia has
remained conflict ridden since the end of the colonial tutelage in 1947 and why the process of cooperation has not been unleashed in this region. The chronology is perhaps the first organized effort on our part to
single out all such events in South Asia from August 14, 1947 till August 14, 2001 which some how or the other are related to the process of conflict and cooperation in South Asia. While the chronology focuses
on the process of conflict and cooperation in India and Pakistan, other South Asian countries have also been covered. Some very interesting and revealing facts which appear in this chronology prove why the
people of South Asia are still under the shadow of poverty and backwardness and the reasons which have so far denied this region for following the path of progress and prosperity.
Fifty-four years of history of conflict and cooperation in South Asia will give enough insight to our readers about the gap in hope and reality, optimism and pessimism, fear and courage. In the course of preparing
this chronology, we have tried our best to follow the principles of intellectual honesty. Our research team, through its sheer hard work and diligence has done a wonderful job in compiling this comprehensive piece
of information on some of the most important areas of South Asia, which some how or the other remained neglected. Human security, instead of a narrow interpretation of security should be the main source of
concern of policy-makers and non-governmental actors in South Asia. If for 54 years, the people of South Asia have not resolved their conflicts, will they be able to change things for the better before the region
completes a century of its independence from the colonial rule?
It is hoped that the present volume will be an adequate source of information to the readers and
researchers on issues, which were and are vital to South Asia. The sources of information present in this volume have been derived from Pakistani and Indian newspapers and various news agencies. Our research
team accepts complete responsibility if there are errors in this document.
Finally, I am very thankful to the United States Institute of Peace, Washington DC, United States and to
the University of Karachi for providing support and facilities for completing this Project. In addition to this, the research team under the Program on Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution did a splendid job in
completing this task for which I am proud of their dedication and commitment.
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