Less than three years after Kargil, war clouds are gathering. Once again Indians find themselves preoccupied by the actions of the loquacious Pakistani President General Pervez Musharraf who has become an opportunist extraordinaire. From the time he seized power, he has lived by his wits. As army chief, he survived his country's defeat at Kargil. He overthrew a democratically elected government, declared himself president and, after September 11, used the situation to become America's best friend in the region while detaching long-term allies like the Taliban.

Today, however, he is confronted with the prospect that he may have to do the same with the jehadis in Kashmir. After the attack on Parliament, India has launched a relentless diplomatic offensive around the issue of cross-border terrorism. So much so that Musharraf appears caught in a pincer once again.

Yet, even though no one underestimates his instinct for survival, the General's room for manoeuvring is shrinking by the day. Musharraf may have reversed his policy in Afghanistan but to do a turnaround on Kashmiri jehad is a very hazardous business. Yet he cannot afford to sully his new-found friendship with America from which Pakistan's economy has a lot to gain.

Our cover story looks at the options available to the General and the knife-edge he-and the Indian subcontinent-stands on. We also analyse the situation from Delhi's perspective and closely study the list of India's most wanted: the 20 terrorists demanded by the Government from their safe havens inside Pakistan. Our correspondents in the US provide us with an understanding of the mood in Washington as the two nuclear neighbours head for another confrontation.

Even after the collapse of the Taliban, America continues to play an ever increasing active role in the region. Hopefully the General who is proving to be a superbly artful dodger will be arm-twisted to yield to some of India's demands. We can then all sleep a little more soundly.

(Aroon Purie)