Kashmir Conflict

To understand this conflict, it is essential to look back into the history of the area.
In August of
1947, India and Pakistan were on the cusp of independence from the British. The British, led by
the then Governor-General Louis Mountbatten, divided the British India empire into the states of
India and Pakistan. The British India Empire was made up of multiple princely states (states that
were allegiant to the British but headed by a monarch) along with states directly headed by the
British. At the time of the partition, princely states had the right to choose whether they were to
cede to India or Pakistan. To quote Mountbatten, “Typically, geographical circumstance and
collective interests, et cetera will be the components to be considered. In general, the Muslim
majority states went to Pakistan while the Hindu majority states went to India, although India
was a secular nation.
However, Kashmir was a peculiar case. While the majority of the population was Muslim, the
ruler was a Hindu, Maharaja Hari Singh. However, this was not the only such case. The state of
Junagadh was also faced with such a conflict. The ruler of Junagadh was a Muslim, who wished
to accede to Pakistan, against the wishes of his people. Mountbatten recommended that Junagadh
should go to India not only because it was a largely populated state but also because it was
completely surrounded by India. However, the ruler ceded to Pakistan. India, enraged, annexed
Junagadh on the pretext that the Pakistani Prime minister Muhammed Ali Jinnah stated that
Hindus and Muslims could not live in one nation and because they feared riots. Kashmir from
the Indian Viewpoint
According to India, Kashmir in its entirety belongs to India, and both Pakistan and China are
falsely laying claim on Indian territories. India views the instrument of accession that was signed
by Maharaja Hari Singh as legally binding, hence legally and fairly giving India Kashmir. As
mentioned, Kashmir is India’s only path to Central Asia. India does not have access to Central
Asian and European countries directly through the land without it.
It is also extremely important to India’s national security[13]. The Siachen Glacier is the only
barrier between Pakistan and China. In the face of a conflict, without Kashmir, China and
Pakistan could combine forces, gravely endangering India. With India’s straining relationships
with both China and Pakistan, it has become wary of this.
Additionally, in 1963, Pakistan ceded the Shaksgam valley and Gilgitto China. This region was
originally a part of Pakistan administered Kashmir[14]. Some claim that this was done in order to
undermine India and in order to allow Chinese military presence in Kashmir. While India does
not accept this, it is nonetheless threatened. With China and Pakistan strengthening ties,
increasing Chinese and Pakistani troops has made this region increasingly important.
There has also been a surge of Indian nationalism lately, especially with the nationalist Bhartiya
Janata Party coming to power in 2014 with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the helm[15]. Since
the inception of the state of Jammu and Kashmir, the region and India have faced numerous
terrorist attacks, both by outside terrorist groups and by local insurgents. In 2001, insurgents
from this region along with terrorists from outside attacked the Indian Parliament, killing many.
There have been many incidents such as this. The result of this has been the deaths of thousands
of civilians and Indian soldiers. This has led to feelings of resentment amongst the Indian people.
Since many of these terrorists have their camps in Pakistan, this anger is directed towards
Pakistan[16]. The Indian people have been longing for these deaths to stop and for the
government to decisively deal with these acts of terror. The Indian people have also developed
feelings of anger and resentment towards primarily Pakistan but also China for illegally taking
over their territory. They believe Kashmir in its entirety belongs to India and severe action must
be taken. Kashmir from the
Pakistani Viewpoint
Historically, Pakistan believes that Kashmir was illegitimately ceded to India by a ruler who did
not represent the people. Additionally, since a majority of the Muslim majority states went to
Pakistan, they believe Kashmir should belong to them.
However, Kashmir is also important to Pakistan for strategic reasons[17]. As mentioned,

Kashmir has a plethora of resources. Moreover, Pakistan is largely dependent on the Kashmiri
Rivers. If India has complete control over Kashmir, it could potentially paralyze Pakistani
agriculture and induce droughts.
Kashmir is the only direct link between Pakistan and China. China being a strong ally makes this
important, both for military reasons and for economic development. The China-Pakistan
Economic Corridor goes through Kashmir as well. Losing Kashmir would deny this direct link to
Pakistan. This direct link with China has been largely beneficial in terms of economic
development.
Additionally, if India has complete control over Kashmir, India could move a large number of
troops to the edge of the border, posing a large threat to Pakistani security. Losing Kashmir
would not only cut off access to help from China but also have Indian troops present very close
to important cities in Pakistan. This could prove devastating in the time of conflict. Hence,
Pakistan believes they will be at the mercy of India if Kashmir is lost.
The general view of the people on this issue seems to be against India. Many are sympathetic
towards the Kashmiris and believe that the people’s lives can be bettered by Kashmir joining
Pakistan. However, there is a sizable population that is rather tired of this conflict and criticized
the government for investing a lot of its resources in the Kashmiri conflict.
The Pakistani administration has maintained the view that Pakistan cannot lose Kashmir. They
maintain that India has no legal or moral right over Kashmir and that Kashmir is rightly theirs.
Subsequently, they are calling for UN mediation in the region.

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To understand this conflict, it is essential to look back into the history of the area.

However, Kashmir is also important to Pakistan for strategic reasons[17]. As mentioned,

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