The conflict over Kashmir has afflicted South Asia for nearly a half century. Far from fading away with the passage of time, this seemingly intractable situation has in recent years grown even more bitter and violent. No day goes by without exacting a further toll of victims and suffering. The urgency of resolving the problem is heightened by the danger that it could once again lead to war between India and Pakistan, this time in a nuclear confrontation with calamitous consequences for South Asia and the world. Yet despite the crying need for a settlement and the great human and economic costs of failing to reach one, the conflict persists.

The Committee that has formed the KASHMIR STUDY GROUP (KSG) is convinced that the dangerous and tragic situation in Kashmir calls for fresh efforts to break the deadlock. We have considered the situation carefully, and have concluded that a non-governmental body comprising Americans and others who are concerned about the problem, well-informed about the issues involved, and open-minded and objective about the elements of a solution can make a significant contribution to these efforts. more...