Moudud Ahmed has attempted to explain some of the reasons why the countries of South Asia and in particular India have not measured up to their potential. This is principally glaring when their achievements are stacked against those of some of the South-East Asian countries who were more disadvantaged economically and socially three decades ago but can now project a far better national scenario than any of the countries of South Asia. The author feels that India, as the predominant political and economic power in South Asia has failed to provide a viable growth model for development nor has helped assuage the social and political fears of its much smaller neighbours. The issues of Kashmir and nuclearisation not only pose the most immediate threat to security of the region but the consequent arms race between India and Pakistan was drastically retarding the development of the region.