THE DISPUTED TERRITORY OF JAMMU AND KASHMIR

Disputed territory of Jammu and Kashmir

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Disputed territory of Jammu and Kashmir

Introduction

After investigating the disputed territory of Jammu and Kashmir (Kashmir), each student will discuss the historical, political, geographic, and diplomatic factors in this dispute in a 5-7 page point paper. In this assignment, discuss the role of American leadership in a potential resolution of this conflict between two nuclear powers India and Pakistan. [Note: The point paper is to be uploaded as a word document in the student folder. The Kashmir issue goes back to the partition of India in 1947. It is a disputed territory between India and Pakistan with one-third of the original state of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) now with Pakistan and two-thirds with India. Kashmir has twice led India and Pakistan into war, once in 1947-8, the second in 1965. It has also been the scene for the third conflict over East Pakistan in 1971. (Schofield, 2003)

Explanation

Under the partition plan provided by the Indian Independence Act of 1947, Kashmir was free to join either India or Pakistan. However, the Maharaja, Hari Singh, wanted to stay independent, but eventually decided to accede to India in return for military aid and a promised referendum. However, India has refused a referendum and does not want an international debate on the issue. (Schofield, 2003)

On the contrary, Pakistan suggests that Kashmir should become part of Pakistan, because Muslims are in the majority of the region. Islam plays an integral part in this conflict since Pakistan's claim to a state representing Muslims supports its claims to Kashmir. Indeed, the population of the now Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir is over 60% Muslim, making it the only state within India where Muslims are in the majority.

There has been a deep-rooted argument between India and Pakistan, based on the territory of Kashmir, which is along the northern borders of both countries. Pakistan and India became independent from Britain in 1947, and Kashmir was left undecided as to who would govern that area. The leader of Kashmir allowed India to take over in return for military protection. Since then, two wars have been fought over the territory, one in 1947 and another in 1965 (1). In the early 1960's India began its nuclear weapons development program and, by 1970, Pakistan's nuclear development was started (2). Both countries confirmed to have nuclear weapons in 1998 from a series of test explosions. As both of these backgrounds have proven, there is at least one party, if not two, in each of the conflicts that are quite capable of massive destruction by nuclear weapons technology.

The so-called “Line of Control” was originally established in January 1949 as a ceasefire line, after the endmuj of the first Kashmir war. It was re-established in July 1972, dividing Kashmir on an almost two-to-one basis: Indian-administered Kashmir to the east and south (approx. 9 million people) which falls into the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, and Pakistan ...