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PAKISTAN’S RELATION WITH NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES.

PART 1: Pakistan relation with India

By: Sonia Hassan Ali

Pakistan is one of the fascinating land in a world with population of 1,080,264,400. On the other hand, India is also exotic country with a population of 1,080,264,400. Pakistan is bordered by Iran, Afghanistan, China, India and the Arabian Sea. In this way, Pakistan share relations with India, which is one of the burning story. Although, border of both the countries connect themselves but the hatred feelings make them apart from each other. This hatred feeling towards each other is the end product of a major issue, known as Kashmir issue. The Kashmir dispute between India and Pakistan remains a complex, volatile and intractable issue which has plagued both countries since independence in 1947 and it is still a matter of international interest (Hilali, 2004). Resolving the Kashmir dispute has thus never acquired more urgency than it has today. Considering this, it is important to break the barriers incoming between the triad of Pakistan, India and Kashmir. The purpose of writing this paper is to overview the history of Kashmir dispute. Moreover, to view some reasons behind the Kashmir issue. In addition, to analyze the impact of Kashmir issue on Indo-Pak relations. Lastly, to propose some strategies for its resolution.

The history of Kashmir issue is a distressful story resulting from misdeeds and violation of human rights behind the curtain. The Kashmir was the most beautiful and significant state in the sub-continent. It is located in the northern part of Indo-Pak sub-continent. Strategically, Kashmir has a unique position as the guardian of South Asian and Central Asian regions. It was the gateway of the ancient invasion routes into British India at a time when the great game was in full momentum. Presently, it is wedged between Pakistan, India, China and Afghanistan. The state of Kashmir provides a valuable point of contact with the Central Asian region (Hilali,2004). After the decline of mughal rule, an Afghani ruler Ahmed Shah Abdali conquered Kashmir. But in 1819, the Sikhs ousted Afghans from Kashmir. In a result, Kashmiris welcomed the Sikhs warmly. Unfortunately, the Sikhs turned over as Kashmir was a muslim majority state. Soon after that, the British war against Sikhs in 1844. During that time, an autocratic dogra ruler, Raja Gulab Singh supported the britihsers. In a reward, the British government soled Kashmir for sum of rupees 7.5 million in 1846. However, the dogra failed to rule and again the British political agent empire in 1889. At that time, the Indian viceroy Lord Mountbatten gave two choices to all the states that either to join India or Pakistan. Before 1947, all the states joined either India or Pakistan except few and Kashmir was one amongst them. Kashmir, where the world ends and paradise begins, is no longer a magical place. Both India and Pakistan considered Kashmir absolutely vital to their strategic, economic and defense requirements (Hilali, 2004). Thus, Kashmir remains a bone of contention between Pakistan and India.

Behind the scene, there were many reasons contributing towards Kashmir issue. Out of these reasons, one was the primary interest of Pakistan in Kashmir to secure its water resources in order to satisfy Punjab and Sind. General Musharraf while inaugurating the Mangla dam extension project stated: “This raising of Mangla dam project will first be benefiting Punjab, Sindh, NWFP, Balochistan and would then accrue benefits for Azad Kashmir” (SANDRP, 2003).This clearly reflects Pakistan's policy towards Kashmir a midway for the growth of its provinces, especially Punjab. Kashmir is desired for mounting water and hydropower projects that will ensure consistent supply to the provinces in Pakistan. But at the same time, Kashmir's own development needs are being neglected. This was the only one example contributing to Kashmir issue. Similarly, the Beauty of Kashmir has attracted many of the tourists in past, which give rise to the economic condition . Here the issue arises, both India and Pakistan want to take Kashmir in order to become economically stable. Moreover, Pakistan want Kashmir as it has muslim majority. On contrary, India want Kashmir to be its part considering that muslim majority will harm Hindus and Buddhist in that state. In this way, both the countries have political, economical and religious advantage from the Kashmir, which becomes the major obstacle between them.

The Kashmir issue is a main barrier in the way of good relations between Pakistan and India. Since the partition of British India into India and Pakistan in 1947, the Kashmir dispute between them has become an intractable one. They fought three wars over it in 1947, 1965, and 1971, but have not resolved it the Indians and Pakistanis like Israelis and Palestinians make claims to the same territory (Indurthy, n.d.). After the first war (1947), India complained against Pakistan on sending its forces to Kashmir. However, the Pakistan rejected the plea raised by India. In order to stop fighting, two resolutions were passed in 1948 and 1949 by UNO. In the resolution, it was decided that both the countries should withdraw their previous positions. Therefore, both the countries accepted cease-fire immediately. Unfortunately, India did not hold to its promise as was decided by UNO and gave rise to a new conflict. Similarly, a delegation was made in 1950 but the Indian government did not accept. Moreover, Dr. Graham came with a commission proposal in 1952 but it was also rejected by Indian government. In 1954, India held a plebiscite which confirmed the Kashmir's accession with it. However, Pakistan refused to accept these elections. Thus, the stubborn attitude of India and Pakistan results in second war at 1965. In this war, Pakistan proved to be powerful than India. In turn, India felt violated and thus took revenge by defeating Pakistan in 1971. After shedding thousands of blood, India and Pakistan signed the Simla agreement in 1972. Under this agreement, India and Pakistan, among others, committed themselves to settling their differences through bilateral negotiations or by any other peaceful means mutually agreed upon between them, and that the basic issues and causes which bedeviled the relations between the two countries for the last 25 years shall be resolved by peaceful means (Indurthy, n.d.). In this way, the Simla agreement became a way of maintaining the political and economical relations between the both countries. Similarly, in 1998 both the countries agreed to share their trade and increase the contact. For example, India agreed to buy sugar and powder from Pakistan. Moreover, Pakistan cricket team visited India and buses were ran from New Delhi to Lahore. Unfortunately, this favorable relation remained for a short time and once again got heated up. In 1999, the issue of Kargil war took place which ended up in terrorism. To resolve this issue, President Pervaiz Musharraf visited India in 2001 but nothing came out. Similar attempt was made in 2004 to improve the relations, but once more it was failed. The possible alternatives suggested in 2004 seems impractical to both countries. For example, maintaining the territorial state quo in Kashmir along the line of control (LOC), Creating an independent Kashmir, securing Kashmir's accession to Pakistan, but all this alternatives seems to be bookish and dream for both the countries. Thus, the relations throughout the journey affected the political, educational and economical condition of both countries. Still, the issue remains questionable in eyes of both India and Pakistan.

Considering the relation between India and Pakistan, the question arises that what steps would be agreeable and productive in solving this issue. According to Ganguly (n.d.), finding a settlement framework that would adequately address all these disputes and satisfy the different actors involved would be a time ¬consuming and difficult task. At the very least, three things have to happen before a mutually acceptable solution can even be contemplated. Firstly, India and Pakistan have to formally give up their zero¬sum territorial claims over Kashmir and stop all military and para¬military activities in Kashmir. Secondly, Kashmiri Muslims have to give up their claims for independence for Kashmir or for Kashmir's accession to Pakistan and stop all insurgency and terrorist activities. Lastly, Hindus and Buddhists have to accept overall Muslim dominance and control in Kashmir in exchange for safeguards of their group rights. After abiding to these three points, it would be easier to find out the possible strategies. Here are some of the recommendations which can help in combating this issue. According to Naqvi (2004), Pakistan and India should demonstrate flexibility and sincerity to resolve the Kashmir issue for durable peace in the region. In addition, both the countries should reduce the number of its forces in occupied Kashmir and release the illegally detained Kashmiri leadership. Moreover, massive human rights violations by both the troops in Kashmir should be stopped and they should abstain from leveling baseless allegations of infiltration against each other. The most important is that Kashmir issue must be resolved according to the wishes of the region's people. Additionally, we should remain with the people of Kashmir morally, diplomatically and politically.

By writing this paper, I learnt the genesis of Kashmir issue and its impact on Indo-Pak relations. Moreover, it made me to think critically in order to propose some strategies. To conclude, Kashmir issue is one of the hurdle between the India and Pakistan. Both nations have strong legal and moral claims to Kashmir, which has virtually reconciled itself to accepting the status quo and has even practically abandoned its insistence on the right of the Kashmiris to self-determination (Hilali, 2004). Three Indo-Pakistan wars since 1947 and 60,000 lives since 1989 have failed to resolve the issue of Kashmir. Thus, this dispute had turned the heaven of the world into graveyard. Moreover, none of the diplomatic efforts made by both countries ended up in fruitful results. According to President Pervaiz Musharraf, the key to Pak-India relations is the resolution of Kashmir dispute for which Confidence Building Measures and dispute resolution will have to move at tandem (Express India, 2005). Thus, India and Pakistan need to step up its efforts to make the world feel the gravity of the problem.