Kashmir conflict

Eassay Outline

1. Introduction
2. Base of the conflict
3. Different approaches
4. Wars over Kashmir
5. Human rights abuses in Kashmir
6. America’s involvement
7. Conclusion

The Kashmir conflict is a territorial dispute between India and Pakistan over the Kashmir region, the north-westernmost region of South Asia.

India claims the entire state of Jammu and Kashmir and as of 2010, administers approximately 43% of the region, including most of Jammu, the Kashmir valley, Ladakh, and the Siachen Glacier. India’s claim is contested by Pakistan, which controls approximately 37% of Kashmir, namely Azad Jammu and Kashmir and the northern areas of Gilgit-Baltistan. China controls 20% of Kashmir.

India has officially stated that it believes that Kashmir is an integral part of India. Pakistan says that Kashmir is a disputed territory whose final status must be determined by the people of Kashmir. China states that Aksai Chin is a part of China and does not recognize the addition of Aksai Chin to the Kashmir region. Certain Kashmiri independent groups believe that Kashmir should be independent of both India and Pakistan.

India and Pakistan have fought at least three wars over Kashmir, including the Indo-Pakistan Wars of 1947, 1965 and 1999. India and Pakistan have also been involved in several skirmishes over the Siachen Glacier.

In 1962 troops from the People’s Republic of China and India clashed in territory claimed by both. China won a swift victory in the war. Resulting in the Chinese annexation of the region called Aksai Chin.

India does not accept the two-nation theory and considers that Kashmir, despite being a Muslim-majority state, is in many ways an “integral part” of secular India.

Pakistan has noted the widespread use of extrajudicial killings in Indian-administered Kashmir carried out by Indian security forces while claiming they were caught up in encounters with militants.

Many human rights organizations such as Amnesty International and the Human Rights Watch (HRW) have condemned human rights abuses in Kashmir by Indians such as “extra-judicial executions”, “disappearances” and torture.

In an interview with Joe Klein of ‘Time’ magazine in October 2008, President Barak Obama expressed his intention to try to work with India and Pakistan to resolve the crisis. Brajesh Mishra, India’s former national security adviser was quoted in the same report as saying that “No matter what government is in place, India is not going to relinquish control of Jammu and Kashmir. That is written in stone and cannot be changed.”

Pakistan and India should open marathon talks over the issue. There is hope that some solution will come out with mutual understanding. International community wants to leave the issue unresolved in its own interest. Both the countries should resolve it amiably with peaceful talks. They should also keep in view the aspirations of indigenous population in taking any decision.