Conflict between India and Pakistan - Essay Example

KASHMIR ISSUE Introduction The of Jammu and Kashmir is located in South Asia between India and Pakistan. Once part of the Great Britain Empire in the sub continent, the Jammu and Kashmir state has been a bone of contention between India, Pakistan and the people living in the state itself, since 1947 when both India and Pakistan got liberation from Great Britain rule. This paper sheds light on the actual conflict that has led to three post independent wars between India and Pakistan; that has started a long and blood thirsty movement in Jammu and Kashmir; and has resulted in loss of thousands of lives till date. In addition, this paper presents some of the potential solutions that have been offered for the resolution of this issue and attempts to propose a possible solution to put an end to this issue once and for all. The Valley of Jammu and Kashmir Kashmir is located in the Northwest of the sub continent. Historically, the valley consisted of the area lying between great Himalayas and the Pir Panjal range. However, current Kashmir is referred to the area administered by India – Kashmir valley, Jammu and Ladakh; the area administered by Pakistan – Azad Kashmir; and Aksai Chin, which is in China (Wikipedia.org, 2007). Kashmir in Pre-Partition Era Kashmir has always been a Muslim majority area. As per the 1901 census that was carried out by British Indian Empire, almost 75% of the population consisted of Muslims, 24% were Hindus, and the others were Buddhists. The major population of Hindus was in Jammu which had almost 50% Hindus population, whereas in Kashmir valley, Muslims were in dominant majority with approximately 94% of the total population and Hindus were only 5% (Imperial Gazetteer of India, 1908). As per the census of 1941, Muslim population of Kashmir was 93.6% and Hindus were only 4% (Mridu, 2004). In 2003, the percentage population of Muslims in the Kashmir valley was 95% with Hindus only 4%. In Jammu, the percentage population of Hindus was 66% and Muslims 30% (BBC, 2003). These figures clearly show that Kashmir valley has been a Muslim dominant area in terms of population whereas the major portion of population in Jammu consists of Hindus with Muslims as second majority. The Conflict As per the formula for dividing the sub continent, agreed between both Hindu and Muslim leaders, the state of Jammu and Kashmir was to be either associated with Pakistan due to its Muslim majority in population, or had to be associated with India if the people of Kashmir want that. There was no resolution or advice to make it a separate state, free from both Indian and Pakistani boundary. The people of Kashmir, and hence Pakistani government were under the impression that Kashmir will be a part of Pakistan due to its Muslim population who will decide in favor of Pakistan. However, the non-Muslim ruler of Kashmir, called the Maharaja, signed in favor of India. The Accession of Jammu and Kashmir to India was signed on 26th October 1947 (Ministry of External Affairs India, n.d.). This was unacceptable to both Pakistan and people of Kashmir and resulted into a conflict between India and Pakistan when Kashmiri people started an armed struggle against this decision with Pakistan’s support to liberate Kashmir from India. India also sent her armies to the valley; this ultimately resulted into the Line of Control which is an area between Indian occupied Kashmir and Azad Kashmir that is under Pakistan’s control. The Initial Demands The dispute was taken to United Nations (UN) which decided that an independent plebiscite should be held to find out the wishes of the people of Kashmir and its results will be taken as the true opinion of Kashmiris towards the decision of being included in India or Pakistan. However, India denied the plebiscite on the grounds that according to the decision by UN, Pakistan should take out her armies from all parts of Kashmir in order for plebiscite to be held. In addition, India held elections in the state in 1950, thus affirming the status of Kashmir state as part of India. Afterwards, the Indian government refused to hold a plebiscite in the state and back out from its commitment (Schofiled, 2002). The Current Situation Due to the inflexibility of both India and Pakistan, the issue has not been resolved as yet, even after almost 60 years of independence from the British rule. Kashmiri people have started a freedom struggle against Indian occupation, as they put it. India calls it terrorism while Pakistan supports this freedom movement both politically and diplomatically, and as India puts it, through military support to these militants, though Pakistan denies such charges. Importance of Kashmir Issue in International Politics and Affairs The conflict has resulted into three wars between India and Pakistan, in 1948, 1965 and 1971; then the Kargil incident took place in 1999 (Encyclopedia Britannica, 2007). The conflict has resulted into heavy military expenditure by the two countries. Both countries have developed nuclear weapons’ capability and both have atomic bombs. In addition, India and Pakistan belong to a very strategic location on the map of South Asia. Any incident that takes place here, can have ripple effect to all parts of the world. India has almost 1 billion of population out of the total approximately 6 billion in the world. Pakistan has been treated and regarded as the most powerful country in Muslim world in terms of military capability, and has full support from Middle Eastern countries that own major portion of world’s oil resources. The above stated facts have made this conflict a flash point between the two nations in particular and the world in general. None of the countries, including the two that are involved, wants to have a nuclear war to be waged against their citizens; yet both India and Pakistan have a very low level of trust on each other and are always suspicious of each other’s activities. In addition, the politicians from both sides add to the misery by using this issue as the selling point for their image. The citizens of both countries are relatively poor and illiterate and hence they are being fooled by some politicians. Due to this, it is absolutely necessary that the two countries in consultation with Kashmiri people reach to mutually agreeable solution of the matter so that citizens of Kashmir, India and Pakistan can have peace. Solutions to the Issue The issue, however, is not something that can not be resolved if efforts are made with true intentions to resolve it by all the concerned parties. Several alternative solutions are proposed by both India, Pakistan and in some cases, the Kashmiri groups who are fighting for freedom. A brief discussion on these alternative solutions and their applicability is provided below: Alternative # 01: Maintain the Status Quo A very simple option is to maintain the status quo. This would be achieved by converting the line of control into the accepted international boundary between the two countries. Line of Control (LOC) is the division between the area of Kashmir administered by Pakistan, and the area that is administered by India. Essentially, this would mean that one third of the state vis-à-vis Azad Jammu and Kashmir and the Northern areas will remain under Pakistan’s administration, and two third of the state, including Jammu, Ladakh and the Kashmir valley will be kept under India. Standpoints of Parties India likes to adopt this option. They claim that it is the best way to implement peace in the region since neither India nor Pakistan is willing to let go the area that they administer Pakistan has been opposing this solution for a long time. They claim that it is an absolutely non-workable solution as this would not allow the people of Kashmir to get the freedom they want from Indian occupation. Kashmiri people refuse this solution as well, claiming that this would negate the freedom movement targeted to get independence from Indian occupation based on the simple case that Muslims were, and are in majority in Kashmir area; and as per the division formula of 1947, Kashmir should be a part of Pakistan. They want to get their right of plebiscite. Internationally, both UK and USA also favors this alternative solution of turning LOC into a permanent international border (BBC, n.d.). Hence, though the option seems simple, it is not realistic. This is because occupying one nation and then asking to make it the status quo is not justified from any stretch of imagination. Internationally, this alternative is acceptable only to put an end to the long and blood thirsty conflict between India and Pakistan resulting in both countries having nuclear capability. World powers want this issue resolved as this is a flash point that can be sparked anytime, and if this happens, may result in to another disaster. Alternative # 02: Kashmir Incorporation into Pakistan This alternative solution recommends that Kashmir should be allowed to join Pakistan. This is proposed with a view that 95% of the population of Kashmir is Muslim, and hence would want to join Pakistan who is a Muslim country, as opposed to India who claims to be secular state yet this claim has been shattered due to a long history of minority rights’ violations by Indian government. Standpoints of Parties Pakistan is in the strongest favor of this alternative solution. They claim that as per the initial understanding and formula for division of the sub continent, Kashmir should, in principle, be the part of Pakistan. Moreover, if the Kashmiri people are given the right to vote, they will certainly vote in Pakistan’s favor, hence Pakistan stresses that this solution should be adopted. Kashmiri people initially wanted the same to happen. However, after the initiation of armed struggle against India by Kashmiri groups of freedom fighters, this option does not remain the popular. Many believe that this is not the optimal solution to resolve the conflict, as they do not want to be associated with either India or Pakistan. India, on the other hand, strongly opposes the idea. They have already rejected the idea of plebiscite in Kashmir claiming that the accession to India in 1947 was complete and legal. Hence for them, it is absolutely unacceptable to separate Kashmir from themselves and let it become a part of Pakistan. ‘However the demand for a plebiscite to be held, as recommended by the Governor-General of India, Lord Mountbatten in 1947, and endorsed by the United Nations Security Council, is still considered by some as a way of letting Kashmiris exercise their right of self-determination’ (BBC, n.d.). This self-determination, if allowed, will most likely result in the favor of Pakistan and would mean that the entire Kashmir, including the area administered by India will be given to Pakistan. India, of course, has serious reservations on this point. Alternative # 03: Kashmir Incorporation into India A natural extension of previous alternative is to give the entire Kashmir state to India, including Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Northern areas. In 1947, Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir signed the state in favor of India, and thus India claims the entire state. Standpoints of Parties As evident, Pakistan is in the strongest disagreement with this option as this would be in direct opposition to the UN resolution asking that plebiscite should be held in Kashmir to decide its fate. Pakistan would not, in foreseeable future, agree to this alternative at all. Kashmiri people have also shown dissent on this proposed situation. As this would mean that the freedom movement will not be able to achieve its objectives and instead, India will be rewarded with not just the area they have occupied but also Azad Kashmir. This will not be a solution at all. India, however, would not mind it. Though they know that it will never be materialized yet they have asked for it a number of times just to make a fun of things. None of the Indian leaders and government is serious about making this a reality; hence it is a far fetched option with no material significance. ‘Such a solution would be unlikely to bring stability to the region as the Muslim inhabitants of Pakistani-administered Jammu and Kashmir, including the Northern Areas, have never shown any desire to become part of India’ (BBC, n.d.). Alternative # 04: Provide Complete Independence to Kashmir This option first surfaced in 1960, when during the discussion between India and Pakistan over Jammu and Kashmir, some of the Kashmiri freedom groups demanded that Kashmir should be given independence from both India and Pakistan and should be separated into an independent state as was the case before Maharaja’s accession to India in 1947. Standpoints of Parties Kashmiri people are the major advocate of this solution. They have been fighting for freedom from Indian occupation since 60 years and want to get independence from both India and Pakistan. This would mean a new country on the map with its own government, military and foreign ministry. The Kashmiri people base their claim on the fact that total area of the state is larger than at least 68 countries of United Nations, with a total population in excess of 90 countries in the world (BBC, n.d.). Both India and Pakistan, and also the international community have rejected this proposition as this would result in both India and Pakistan to lose territory. In addition, it will result in instability in the region which is dangerous to all the concerned parties. Moreover, this would lead to other states to demand for freedom. This would initiate a never-ending struggle and instability in the region, and might lead to ‘Balkanisation’ of the region (BBC, n.d.). Hence, both India and Pakistan, and even the international community do not agree for this alternative solution. ‘The difficulty of adopting this as a potential solution is that it requires India and Pakistan to give up territory, which they are not willing to do. Any plebiscite or referendum likely to result in a majority vote for independence would therefore probably be opposed by both India and Pakistan. It would also be rejected by the inhabitants of the state who are content with their status as part of the countries to which they already owe allegiance’ (BBC, n.d.). Alternative # 05: A Smaller Independent Kashmir A proposed solution consistent with Kashmiri people’s wishes and desires and not too disadvantageous to the interests of both Pakistan and India is to declare a smaller portion of Kashmir as independent while the other strategic areas will be kept with their current administrators. This would essentially mean that Pakistan will have the predominantly Muslim part of Northern Area, and India will get Buddhist Ladakh and predominantly Hindu majority area of Jammu. The new state will have parts of Kashmir, Jammu and other areas. Standpoints of Parties Pakistan has interest in Kashmir mainly due to the water that comes to Pakistan from snowy mountains and that pass through Kashmir on its way. This water is critical for the agriculture and other purposes for Pakistan and hence, Pakistan can not allow the entire Kashmir to either go to India or get liberated from both Pakistan and India. One of the main reservoirs is Mangla Reservoir in Pakistan’s administered Jammu and Kashmir. Hence, Pakistan will not agree to the proposal of setting this area free for its administration. This might lead to strategic problems for Pakistan in the future. India has refused this option claiming that they should get the entire Kashmir instead of losing part of it. They want to win the area administered by Pakistan as well. Hence, no discussion what so ever is acceptable to India accept the one that speaks of giving the entire Kashmir to India Kashmiri people might agree to this solution as this would mean that they can have their long awaited and fiercely fought out independence. They would not have major differences with the opinion, except that some of the groups might not like the idea of partitioning the state into three parts; for Pakistan, India and Kashmiri people. The solution as a whole is not workable for India and Pakistan and hence might not be implemented in a true spirit. None of the parties is willing to come down from the respective point of view to arrive at a solution that could be mutually agreeable to all. In view of this, the above solution, though feasible, yet might never be implemented at all. Alternative # 06: The Chenab Formula This proposal was first floated in 1960s following a discussion between India and Pakistan. According to this proposed alternative solution, the Kashmir state should be divided between India and Pakistan along the line of River Chenab. River Chenab flows through the Kashmir, and then continues through Pakistan to meet Indus River in Pakistan. Standpoints of Parties This solution will provide a definite victory to Pakistan. This is because it will give a vast majority of land to Pakistan and India will be left with only 3,000 square miles of the total territory of Kashmir state which is close to 84,000 square miles. Hence, Indian government and leader will never approve this solution. In addition, this might not be acceptable to the Kashmiri people who support insurgency for the independence of entire Kashmir state. Alternative # 07: An Independent Kashmir Valley Kashmir valley is a very small part of the entire Kashmir state. ‘An independent Kashmir Valley has been considered by some as the best solution because it would address the grievances of those who have been fighting against the Indian Government since the insurgency began in 1989. But critics say that, without external assistance, the region would not be economically viable’ (BBC, n.d.). Kashmir valley is approximately 1,800 square miles which is larger that Monaco and Liechtenstein but one tenth the size of Bhutan (BBC, n.d.). The rest of the Kashmir state might not want to be independent as such, but certainly this option will suit all the Kashmiris who want to have independence as their fundamental right. As per BBC (n.d.), the independent Kashmir valley can sustain itself through industries like tourism, agriculture and handicrafts that are its specialties. In addition, BBC (n.d.) has stated in its in-depth study on Kashmir that ‘Autonomy of the same region under the Indian Union is also an option; Pakistan is more likely to request a joint protectorate in order to share in safeguarding the Kashmir valleys political integrity and economic development’. This option will allow Pakistan to have more interests into the area under the umbrella of supporting Kashmiri people to develop a sustained economy and government system. Standpoints of Parties Pakistan might agree to this solution as true representation of Kashmiri people’s desires; however India will never agree to lose its territory. Hence, although considered best option by many, this might not be implemented due to India’s attitude and opinion. A Proposed Solution A solution, slightly different from the ones described above could be the take over of Jammu and Kashmir by United Nations. The UN forces should be brought in and should take over the government, administration and other jobs for the entire Kashmir state. This is required to eliminate the loss of lives that happen on daily basis in the Indian occupied Kashmir. However, to make India agree to such a proposal requires that Pakistan should also be willing to let the UN forces take over Pakistan administered parts of Kashmir state. Once, the UN forces become in full control, then negotiations should be started with all the parties. It is believed that those negotiations will be more fruitful as these will involve an independent third party. India and Pakistan have met a hundred times yet are not able to provide any workable solution due to the differences among the two points of views. But, if a third party like UN enters into the discussion, this might make things better and might result into reaching to a solution. Anyhow, in order to save lives and dignity of women, children and men in the Kashmir state, this bloodshed must be stopped first, only then the three parties can be brought to the table for long term and results oriented discussions on the resolution of the problem. UN should maintain its forces in the region for as long as the decision is not taken. Naturally both India and Pakistan would like to make the decision as quickly as possible since both have stakes in the Kashmir state. This might expedite the process which is already 60 years late. Conclusion The Kashmir issue has been the main feature of both Indian and Pakistani governments over the years. There are some who want this issue to remain as it is, in order to portrait them self politically and socially as true leaders of the nations. However, serious talks have begun between more realistic and results oriented leaders in recent times. If these talks continue without break, it can be expected that Kashmir issue will be resolved in next five to ten years. However, honest commitment and effort is required by all concerns. In addition, both India and Pakistan have to move from their fixed positions since the last 60 years, and will have to look for mutually agreeable grounds if they are really serious in the resolution of this issue and the primary hurdle in better relations between the two countries who are also nuclear powers of the world. WORKS CITED Imperial Gazetteer of India, volume 15. 1908. Oxford University Press, Oxford and London. pages 99-102 Rai, Mridu. 2004. Hindu Ruler, Muslim Subjects: Islam and the History of Kashmir. Princeton University Press. page 37 “Kashmir – The Kashmir Problem.” Encyclopedia Britannica. 2007. Encyclopedia Britannica Online. 7 May 2007 < http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-214223/Kashmir>. Schofiled, V. “Kashmir’s Forgotten Plebiscite”. 17 January 2002. BBC News World Edition. 7 May 2007 < http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/1766582.stm>. BBC.Co.UK (n.d.) The Future of Kashmir http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/south_asia/03/kashmir_future/html/default.stm http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/south_asia/03/kashmir_future/html/2.stm http://meaindia.nic.in/jk/19jk01.pdf http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kashmir Read More