Synopsis The future peace and prosperity of South Asia hinges on various factors, the more significant among which are: a deepening of the process of democratic participation; the spread of the development process to all socio-economic strata; and accelerated regional cooperation bonded to peace. Much thought and action are needed before we can realistically hope to achieve these goals. The papers in this volume are by some of South Asia's leading scholars and activists. They give penetrating insights into the options available, the obstacles that stand in the way, and the strengths on which South Asia can collectively build a viable strategy to tackle some of its endemic and long-standing problems. Culture, democracy and development provide the modern paradigm while the region's durable age-old cultural, social and historical traditions provide the foundation for a viable solution to the problems. There is a general consensus in these papers that South Asia can learn from the experiences of its past and work to create a region in which growth and prosperity characterise a community of peace. This book will be a useful resource for scholars, diplomats, media-persons, professionals, businessmen and all those who view with concern the pressing challenges which the region faces.