The Wire

For decades the Kashmir issue has threatened the South Asian political scene, with India and Pakistan, neighbours after a painful partition in 1947, playing dog and bone with the region. Kashmir has been a battlefield for the two warring nations, which are now heading towards better relations, taking baby steps ahead as peaceful neighbours. Recently Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, became the first Indian Prime Minister in history to approach Kasmiri separatists for talks. Not a very big step, but this move indicates things might get better from here. Adelaide University Asian Politics Lecturer Peter Mayer spoke to Rachna Subir Sen about the state of affairs.