Violence and Development along the India-Pakistan Border in Jammu & ...

This book examines the impact of cross-border violence on communities living along the Line of Control and the International Border in Jammu and Kashmir, India. Using Sustainable Development Goals 3, 4, and 8 as metrics, it examines the first and second-order effects of ceasefire violations, efforts by state and private actors, and the role of coincident factors such as geography, terrain, and the socio-political environment. It uses diverse sources including newspapers, civil society reports, government records, surveys, stakeholder interviews, and field visits. The study finds that cross-border violence affects everyday life through confinement, displacement, and migration. Beyond death or injury, violence along the border impacts mental health, damages infrastructure, and reduces access to educational and financial facilities. It also discourages skilled human resources and private investment in these areas. The violence and the responses to it deter normal life and activity and, over time, leave a permanent impact on the socio-economic fabric of the region.

Deep Pal, PhD has over two decades of experience in policy analysis, academic research, communication, and project management. He was a post-doctoral fellow at Ashoka University, India. His research focuses on the Indo-Pacific, regional security of South Asia (with an emphasis on China), and peace studies. He holds a doctorate in international studies from the University of Washington.

Surya Valliappan Krishna is the associate director of projects and operations at Carnegie India. His responsibilities include development, finance, and research project management. His research interests are India-Pakistan relations and border security. In particular, he works on the nature and dynamics of cross-border violence and its impact on civilian communities. Surya has an M.A. in terrorism, security, and society from the Department of War Studies, King’s College London.

Saheb Singh Chadha is a senior research analyst at Carnegie India. His research focuses on China’s foreign and security policies and India-China relations. He is the author of “Negotiating the India-China Standoff: 2020-2024.” He is broadly interested in the geopolitics of South Asia and the Indo-Pacific.