BY SABA NAWAZ
Since partition of subcontinent into India and Pakistan in 1947, the Kashmir dispute has been the major bone of contention between the two.
They have fought three wars- in 1948, 1965, and 1999, but have not been able to resolve it. The partition left the fate of over 550 princely states undecided. These states were required to accede to either of the two countries on the basis of the geographical location and wishes of their people.
The state of Jammu and Kashmir should have acceded to Pakistan because majority of its inhabitants were Muslims and geographical proximity.
The ruler of Jammu and Kashmir Mahraja Hari Singh sought military assistance from India to resist people of tribal areas who entered the state to assist local population in their attempt to liberate their state and accede it with Pakistan. Maharaja, fled from the state and signed the ‘Instrument of Accession’ with India against the wishes of majority of population. Eventually Indian forces intervened, capturing a major portion of the state of Jammu and Kashmir.
Since then, Kashmir dispute has been bone of contention between two countries. It has kept security of entire South Asia at stake.
When the issue was moved to United Nations, its Security Council adopted resolutions promising people of Jammu and Kashmir a free and plebiscite to decide their future.
India, that had taken the issue to the UN, later backed out. Kashmir’s strategic importance lies in the fact that its borders also meet with China and Afghanistan and also is close to Russia.
Almost all the major rivers which flow through Pakistan and India, originate from Kashmir. Because of these and numerous other reasons, none of the two countries is ready to step back from their claim over the territory.
After the wars of 1948, 1962 and 1965, efforts were made to resolve the issue. After the India-China border War of 1962, there were intense but fruitless American and British efforts to bridge a gap between India and Pakistan.
The end of 1965 war saw Soviet Union as a regional peacemaker. The Soviets managed mediate a peace treaty at Tashkent, but this could not establish peace in the region and soon Indian involvement in East Pakistan led disintegration of the country in 1971.
Besides Cold war rivalries, both United States and the Soviet Union made several inconclusive efforts to mediate the dispute.
Soviet Union, United states and China have different policies towards the Kashmir dispute according to their own interests. In the beginning all of them showed neutrality but with the changing world’s politics they kept readjusting their stance.
China‘s Kashmir policy has passed through different stages. In first phase, from 1949 to 1960s, China avoided siding with either India or Pakistan; instead it favored a resolution of the issue through peaceful dialogue.
The second phase started from early 1960s and lasted till 1970. Sino-Indian war of 1962 resulted in China’s closer ties with Pakistan. China stood by Pakistan on Kashmir issue with firm support for the right of self determination. But in 1970s, China adopted neutral policy on Kashmir issue as its relations normalized with India; this was reflected during Kargil conflict and Indo-Pak military standoff in 2001-2002.
India and Pakistan need to engage in talks on all important issues. Continuing tensions over Kashmir will weaken any initiative to bring stability to South Asia and would add to risk of a nuclear war.
International community should realize that peace and stability in South Asia can only be guaranteed if all outstanding disputes between Pakistan and India, including the Kashmir dispute are resolved amicably.
People of Jammu and Kashmir should be given right of self-determination to decide their future.
(The writer is doing masters in Mass Communication from Quaid- e -Azam University, Islamabad. She can be reached at: sabanawaz907@gmail.com)
