Conflict Over Kashmir

What is Kashmir?

Geography Bordered by Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, and China Contains about 85,000 square miles of land Mountainous, sparsely populated region Varied climate due to elevation Most populated area is the Vale of Kashmir, on the Indian side Currently, Kashmir is divided into three regions: one controlled by India, one controlled by Pakistan, and a small area controlled by China

Divided Kashmir Indian Kashmir Pakistani Kashmir India controls the southeast portion of Kashmir, which has the most fertile land Indian territory is governed as a state, called Jammu and Kashmir Pakistan controls the northwest, with a harsher climate and sparser population Pakistan’s territory is divided into two regions: Azad Kashmir, or free Kashmir, which has its own government, and the Northern Areas, which are governed directly by Pakistan Azad Kashmir is about 4,500 square miles, and the Northern Areas are about 28,000 square miles

Origins of Conflict

History of the Conflict The territory of Kashmir The territory was handed over to India after they gained independence from the British in 1947.

The Problem The Kashmir area was predominantly Muslim. The ruler of Kashmir fled to India and agreed to place Kashmir under Indian rule if India would protect Kashmir from invasion. If there had been a vote in Kashmir, the majority probably would have voted to become part of Pakistan for religious reasons.

Kashmir, Nehru, the British Muslim ruler of Kashmir agrees to sign on with India, and Nehru makes exception to the rule of partition: “in cases of majority population land goes to Pakistan in border regions”......

Why is Kashmir Important?

? Of Natural Resources The geography is mostly rural, with large mountains, deserts, and valleys. The region could have natural resources such as oil, gold, or silver that has not yet been discovered.

Control of the Indus River The Indus begins in Kashmir, flows through Pakistan, then flows into mainland India. Since Kashmir is part of India, they could dam the Indus and change the flow of the river. Without fertile land to grow crops, Pakistan would become a desert and its people would starve.

Religion Pakistan primarily Muslim India primarily Hindu 80% of people in Kashmir primarily Muslim Sikhs (about 10% of the people in Kashmir) want to remain in India.

Religious Sites Both Pakistan and India have sites in Kashmir that are important to their respective religions. Pakistan is predominately Muslim. Kashmir is predominately Muslim. India is predominately Hindu.

Strategic Location India-Kashmir acts as a buffer. Pakistan-Kashmir offers a fertile roadway into India for possible invasion.

Positions on Kashmir

India’s Positions The accession of Kashmir to India is legally indisputable Religion is irrelevant in determining control of Kashmir—a large Muslim community supported the accession of Kashmir to India The Pakistani sponsorship of terrorism in Kashmir disrupts the democratic process in the region International intervention is out of the question, as Kashmir is strictly India’s affair

Pakistan’s Positions Kashmir rightfully belongs to Pakistan due to their religious and economic ties Pakistan does not provide material aid to any terrorists or insurgents in Kashmir In accordance with the UN Security Council, Pakistan considers India’s claim to Kashmir invalid The Kashmiri people should be allowed to choose between Pakistani and Indian control through a vote.

Kashmir’s Positions Kashmiris overwhelmingly favor independence A poll conducted in the Kashmiri capital of Srinagar in 2007 revealed that 87% of Kashmiris desire independence, 7% favor Indian rule, and 3% prefer Pakistani control Kashmiris oppose Indian rule due to the restrictions placed on them by Indian security forces and alleged human rights abuses by the Indian government

Overview of Wars

Chronology/History Pakistan Kashmir Conflict 1947 Partition of India creates Pakistan 1948 Muhammed Ali Jinnah assassinated; 1st War with India over Kashmir 1956 Constitution proclaims Pakistan an Islamic Rep. 1958 General Ayyub Khan takes over 1965 2nd War with India over Kashmir 1971 East Pakistan secedes – Civil War. India supports E. Pakistan. 1972 Simla peace agreement w. India creates new Kashmir border 1980 US pledges military assistance to Pak as Russia invades Afghanistan 1998 Pakistan conducts nuclear tests (after India) 1999 Pak forces clash w/ Indian military vic. Kargil 2001 Pakistan supports US in GWOT Dec 2001- Ind/Pak mass troops Along border   May, 2002 Pakistan test fires 3 med range missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads 2003 Ind/Pak declare a cease fire APR 2005 Bus services resume between PAK and India after 60 years 2011 March - The prime ministers of India and Pakistan meet to watch a cricket match

1947: Pakistan invaded Kashmir

... Pakistan objects, Indian sends in new army to Kashmir, and war breaks out in 1947-8, ending in the “LINE OF CONTROL” still extant today...

First War Cease-fire was declared Line of Control (LOC) was drawn separating the two sides. 2/3rds of Kashmir now under Indian control (Jammu, one of the three regions in Kashmir, with 9 million people) 1/3rd of Kashmir now under Pakistani control called Azad or “Free Kashmir”.

1965: Second war over Kashmir

1965 War Conflict’s Context: US [Pakistan] vs. USSR [India] Global Cold War

War Three major wars between India and Pakistan have been fought over the Kashmir territory 1947-1948 1965 1971 A fourth war almost took place when Pakistan invaded and attempted to capture Kargil.

The Battle for Kashmir India and Pakistan fight over Kashmir, a region in northern India Cease-fire in 1949, but disputes over the region continues. In total, India and Pakistan have fought four wars Indo-Pakistan War of 1947 Indo-Pakistan War of 1965 Indo-Pakistan War of 1971 Indo-Pakistan War of 1999 (minor war)

1971 India-Pakistan War

Terrorism Joins Conflict • 1979-1988 - Pakistan launched a proxy war for US and Saudi Arabia during Afghan’s Soviet era (1978-1988) producing several jihadi groups targeting the “godless” Soviet Union and the Shias. • 1988 - Kashmir became the new front for Jihad and Hindus the new infidels. • India deployed more troops to Kashmir in the 1990’s to “fight fire with fire.” Nehru & Gandhi Nehru & Gandhi Associated Radical Jihadi Groups from Pakistan • Lashkar e-Toiba (LeT; 1980) • Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM; 2000) • Hizbul Mujahideen (HUM) • Jamaat Ul- Mujahideen (JuM) • Harkat-ul- Ansar (HUA) • Jammu and Kashmir Lib. Front (JKLF; 1964;1988)

1999 Kargil Skirmish Context: Both nations nuclear powers

Kargil Conflict (1999) In 1998, India carried out nuclear tests and a few days later, Pakistan responded by more nuclear tests giving both countries nuclear deterrence capability. Diplomatic tensions eased after the Lahore Summit was held in 1999. The sense of optimism was short-lived, however, since in mid-1999 Pakistani paramilitary forces and Kashmiri insurgents captured deserted, but strategic, Himalayan heights in the Kargil district of India.

Maintaining a Divided Kashmir Pros Requires the smallest investment of time and resources Cons Provides a source for continued tension between the two nations Fuels nationalist sentiments among both Indian and Pakistani citizens Goes against the will of the Kashmiri people

Kashmiri Independence Pros Satisfies the will of the Kashmiri people Prevents the issue from being a point of contention between India and Pakistan Precludes further human rights abuses from the Indian military Diminishes the motivation of extremists and insurgents Cons Opposed by the Indian and Pakistani governments Fledgling nation may not have a stable economy or government The Hindu population would be a minority, and tensions between Muslims and Hindus could develop