Kashmir

Kashmir is a region in the northern part of the Indian subcontinent. The term Kashmir historically described the valley just to the south of the easternmost end of the Himalayan range. Politically, however, the term 'Kashmir' describes a much larger area which includes the regions of Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh.

The region is currently divided amongst three countries: Pakistan controls the northwest portion (Northern Areas, Pakistan and Azad Kashmir), India controls the central and southern portion (Jammu and Kashmir), and China controls the northeastern portion (Aksai Chin). Though these regions are in practice administered by their respective claimants, India has never formally recognized the accession of the areas claimed by Pakistan and China. Pakistan views the entire Kashmir region as disputed territory, and does not consider India's claim to it to be valid.

Kashmir is a beautiful valley of about 7,200 square kilometers (2,800 square miles) at an elevation of 1,675 meters (5,500 feet). It has a very ancient history and it was for a long time one of the centers of Sanskrit culture. Kashmiri literature, sculpture, music, dance, painting, and architecture have had a profound influence in Asia.

The events of partition

In 1947, India gained independence from British rule. It was decided that two countries would be formed, Pakistan and India, where Pakistan would have a majority Muslim population, and India a majority Hindu population. It had been agreed that autonomous regions like Kashmir, could decide to either join India or Pakistan.

Kashmir, which had a predominantly Muslim population, was one of these autonomous states, ruled by Maharaja Hari Singh. In 1947, Pakistan invaded Kashmir using tribal Islamic guerillas and Pakistani army regulars disguised as tribals. The invaders enaged in massive rape and pillage of native Kashmiris, particularly the non-Moslems. At this stage, the Maharaja realizing his dream of independent Kashmir was crushed, asked for the aid of the Indian army. With that he also signed the instrument of accession to India, agreeing that Kashmir would become part of India.

The resulting war lasting until 1949, when India moved to United Nations to ask Pakistan to vacate the occupied Kashmir. Thus a cease-fire was negotiated by the UN, dividing Kashmir between Indian-held and Pakistani-held territory. The United Nations pressed for a vote among the population, which was denied by Pakistan, by their refusal to vacate the parts of Kashmir they occupied.

In 1959, China was given the Aksai Chin region of Kashmir by Pakistan in return for military aid. In 1965 and 1971-1972, heavy fighting again broke out between India-Pakistan. The 1972 war resulted in massive territorial gains and capture of prisoners by India. This lead to the Simla Accord in 1972 between Indian-Pakistan. In this accord, both countries agreed to settle all issues by peaceful means and mutual discussions, and India returned captured Pakistani territory in Kashmir and 90,000 Pakistani prisoners as a gesture of good will.

Recent developments

Both sides remain steadfast in their assertion that Kashmir belongs entirely to them, and efforts to mediate have proven futile.

In mid-1999, Islamic guerillas and according to some reports Pakistani troops in plain clothes infiltrated and took command of Himalayan mountain tops and ridges near the town of Kargil in Kashmir. Their objective was to sever the main Srinagar-Leh road which runs north-south in Indian Kashmir. Had they succeeded, they would have effectively cut Kashmir in two. However, a massive Indian response involving the air force and army pushed them back across the Line Of Control. The conflict ended when US President Bill Clinton asked Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to withdraw his forces. Soon afterwards, Sharif was overthrown by the Pakistani Army in a coup led by General Pervez Musharraf(The current president).

In early 2002, India and Pakistan escalated their threats towards one another, driven by their territorial dispute and recent terrorist attacks in India by Pakistan-trained terrorists, which has led to fears of nuclear war in the subcontinent.

After intensive diplomatic efforts by other countries, India and Pakistan toned down their aggressive rhetoric towards one another on June 10, 2002, and are hoped to be preparing to make conciliatory moves towards one another.

External links

The events of partition

Recent developments

See also

External links