1. American Diplomacy and the 1999 Kargil Summit at Blair House
- Author:
- Bruce Riedel
- Publication Date:
- 05-2002
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- Center for the Advanced Study of India
- Abstract:
- July 4th, 1999 was probably the most unusual July 4th in American diplomatic history, certainly among the most eventful. President Clinton engaged in one of the most sensitive diplomatic high wire acts of any administration, successfully persuading Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to pull back Pakistani backed fighters from a confrontation with India that could threaten to escalate into a nuclear war between the world's two newest nuclear powers. The events of that 4th accelerated the road to a fundamental reconciliation between the world's two largest democracies, India and the United States, but also set the scene for another in the series of military coups that have marred Pakistani democracy. As the President's Special Assistant for Near Eastern and South Asia Affairs at the National Security Council I had the honor of a unique seat at the table and the privilege of being a key adviser for the day's events.
- Topic:
- Security
- Political Geography:
- Pakistan, United States, America, South Asia, India, and Asia