Many Indians see Pakistan and Pakistanis as irredeemably hostile. Of the rest,while some argue that, despite Partition, we're still the same people, othersdon't really know any better to have an opinion. Veteran journalist KesavaMenon offers a unique and personal perspective that pulls the third categoryof Indians out of their indifference, and pokes holes in the black-and-whiteoutlook of the first and the glib optimism of the second.Menon has been a long-time commentator on Pakistani politics, ever sincehis stint as The Hindu's correspondent in Pakistan in the early 1990s, a crucialperiod in that country's recent history. The Islamic hardliner and dictator Ziaul-Haq had died in an air crash, and the future of the nation's new experimentwith democracy was at best uncertain-with Nawaz Sharif coming to officeafter Benazir Bhutto's brief first run as prime minister. People were freeenough to breathe easy, but yet too feeble to speak up to power. So while thearmy was now led by a non-fanatical professional, religious fundamentalistswith little electoral clout could still openly hurl obscenities about Benazirat a PPP rally; the three-starred pioneer of anti-India jihad could personallyexpress genuine hope for Indo-Pak friendship to the author; and a primeministerial gala could alter its menu to accommodate a South Indian Hindujournalist who they assumed must be vegetarian.While we see both the authoritarian and the democratic tendencies at workin Pakistan's politics-in the 1990s, as in the decades before and since-thisbook contains more than just political commentary. It is also an attempt tounderstand the 'idea' of Pakistan, its sense of itself-both as a people and anation-state-and how India ought to deal with its intractable neighbour.Calm and lucid yet simultaneously playful and trenchant, this analysis of theculture and politics of Pakistan vis-à-vis India combines deep insight andengaging anecdotes to deliver a thoroughly entertaining take on the complexand often tumultuous relationship between the two countries.
