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Amin Hashwani<br />
there is ample reason for hope that civil society with time will play an<br />
important role in the eventual resolution of all major outstanding issues.<br />
Despite the slow pace of negotiations, the warmth and positive attitude<br />
displayed by both sides during official meetings is extremely heartening.<br />
It is perhaps sometimes wiser to proceed slowly and in a measured way<br />
with concrete baby steps, in order to ensure that the progress made is<br />
irreversible, while steering clear of any potential potholes that can jeopardize<br />
this delicate process.<br />
The PerCePTion ChallenGe: CaPTurinG The Minds of a<br />
VulneraBle deMoGraPhY<br />
Even in the current “information age,” misperceptions between nations<br />
represent a global phenomenon. The Subcontinent is no exception.<br />
In the last two decades, <strong>India</strong>, due to economic reforms in the early<br />
1990s, has shifted from embracing a slow “Hindu” growth model to<br />
becoming a robust economic powerhouse, on course to play a major<br />
international role in the coming years. With a large base of a billionplus<br />
population, it has attracted disproportionate attention internationally<br />
among companies and countries as the place to do business.<br />
Internationally, it has also begun to gain cultural and political influence.<br />
Through “Shining <strong>India</strong>” and “Incredible <strong>India</strong>” campaigns and a host<br />
of other initiatives, it has attempted to showcase itself as a historical empire<br />
whose moment has once again arrived. This is in sharp contrast to<br />
<strong>Pakistan</strong>’s development history. Until the 1960s, the nation served as<br />
an economic role model for progress that other Asian countries tried to<br />
emulate, but now grapples with a host of socioeconomic and geopolitical<br />
problems stemming from a series of unfortunate (internal and external)<br />
events that it is hard-pressed to cope with.<br />
Perceptions of <strong>Pakistan</strong> in <strong>India</strong><br />
<strong>India</strong> is a large populous nation experiencing unprecedented growth,<br />
and is in the process of redefining itself. Exceptional media attention<br />
is given within <strong>India</strong> to its home-grown Bollywood stars, business titans,<br />
and sports icons, not to mention political wrangling, corruption<br />
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