Solution to Kashmir b/w india + pak [14]

Question 1

Why has Kashmir been a major issue between India and Pakistan since 1947?

Answer 1

• Since partition in 1947, Kashmir has been the main point of conflict between India and Pakistan, leading to multiple wars. Water insecurity is at the heart of the dispute.
• The Indus River sustains communities in both countries, with Pakistan particularly dependent on it for agriculture.
• Jinnah called Kashmir “the jugular vein of Pakistan,” emphasizing its importance.
• After the Hindu Maharaja of Kashmir acceded to India, Jinnah ordered a military operation in 1948 for its liberation.

The UN declared Kashmir a disputed territory in 1957 and recommended a plebiscite, but it has never been held, marking a major failure to resolve the issue.

Question 2

What was the result of the 1965 war between India and Pakistan over Kashmir?

Answer 2

• In 1965, Pakistan launched Operation Gibraltar to infiltrate Jammu and Kashmir and incite an uprising against Indian rule.
• India retaliated with a full-scale military attack on West Pakistan, leading to the Second Kashmir War. The conflict lasted for 17 days with no conclusive results.
• Pakistan successfully defended itself against an enemy five times its size, but the war caused thousands of casualties on both sides without any breakthrough in Kashmir.
• The war ultimately failed in both nations, as the Kashmir issue remained unresolved.

Question 3

How did the Kargil War of 1999 affect India-Pakistan relations?

Answer 3

• In April 1999, the Kargil War further escalated Indo-Pakistani tensions when Kashmiri guerrillas crossed the Line of Control and captured the Indian-occupied towns of Kargil and Drass.
• Although Pakistan denied involvement, India responded with heavy shelling and airstrikes.
• Two Indian fighter planes crossed into Pakistani airspace, and one was shot down.
• The conflict significantly damaged relations between India and Pakistan, as the Kashmir issue remained unresolved and the war increased the risk of a nuclear confrontation in the region.

Question 4

What was the significance of the 1948 ceasefire in Kashmir?

Answer 4

• In 1948, a ceasefire was arranged between India and Pakistan, dividing Kashmir between the two countries.
• In 1949, the ceasefire line, later known as the Line of Control (LoC), was officially agreed upon and patrolled by UN troops.
• This was a success for Pakistan as it allowed the country to challenge any attempts by India to join Indian-occupied Kashmir.

Question 5

How did the Tashkent Agreement of 1966 impact the Kashmir dispute?

Answer 5

• The Tashkent Agreement of 1966 was a non-aggression treaty held by the USSR to settle the 1965 Indo-Pakistan war over Kashmir.
• Both countries agreed to a ceasefire and committed to resolving disputes, including Kashmir, through peaceful negotiations rather than military conflict.
• This was a success in terms of preventing further bloodshed and increasing the possibility of diplomatic dialogue over Kashmir instead of resorting to war. However, it did not lead to a lasting resolution.

Question 6

What was the impact of the Simla Agreement of 1972 on the Kashmir issue?

Answer 6

• The Simla Agreement of 1972 was a major step toward improving relations between India and Pakistan following the 1971 war.
• India agreed to release 90,000 Pakistani prisoners of war, while Pakistan agreed to resolve the Kashmir dispute bilaterally rather than involving the UN or other international bodies.
• Although this agreement favored for dialogue, it ultimately favored India by limiting Pakistan’s ability to seek international support for Kashmir. Despite this, it was a step forward in attempting to resolve the Kashmir issue through diplomacy.

Question 7

How did the Lahore Declaration of 1999 contribute to peace efforts between India and Pakistan?

Answer 7

• The Lahore Declaration was a bilateral agreement signed in 1999 by Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
• It aimed to reduce the risk of use of nuclear weapons and committed both nations to resolve all issues, including Kashmir, through peaceful means.
• A bus service was also introduced between both parts of Kashmir to connect families.
• This agreement offered hope for a peaceful resolution, but its progress was paused by the Kargil War, which led to renewed hostilities between the two nations.

Question 8

Why has the Kashmir issue remained unresolved despite various peace efforts? [CONCLUSION]

Answer 8

• Despite UN interventions and peace treaties, the Kashmir dispute remains unresolved due to political sabotage and ongoing tensions.
• The nuclear arms race has worsened the situation, making Kashmir a global flashpoint.
• While agreements like Tashkent, Simla, and Lahore improved dialogue, they failed to settle Kashmir’s status, keeping it a key obstacle to lasting peace.