KASHMIR PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE

The state of Jammy and Kashmir, a land locked territory, with enormous natural resources and exotic scenic beauty, ego strategic location, origin of waters, having Muslim majority of 80%- is a flash point between India and Pakistan since 1947. It is surrounded by the Indian states of Malachi Preshrank and Punjab on the South, on the northwest by Afghanistan, on the west by Pakistan, and on the

northeast by China. Ethnic and geographical Division of State: The inhabitants Kashmir valley were predominantly Muslims, with a small community of Sikhs and Pundits, Jammu had a Dora Hindu majority, the western strip from Muzzafarabad to Mirpur had a majority of Punjabi speaking Muslims, Gilgit, Skardu, and Virgil were. also inhabited by the Muslims, and a majority of Lambada's residents were Buddhists. Lambada, Jammu and Kashmir valley controlled by India. Azad Kashmir administered by Pakistan. Northern Areas also administered by Pakistan. Aksai Chin controlled by China.

At the time of partition, Kashmir was given the choice to join India or Pakistan. Although J & K had a Muslim majority (77% in the census of 1941) and shared a long border with Pakistan, the Maharajah refused to opt for Pakistan and decided to remain independent. The Kashmir Muslims revolted against his brutal rule. In October, 1947 tribesmen led rebellion succeeded, Mahraja Hari Singh and Sheikh Abdullah requested aid from India, and d ceded to accede to India on October 26, 1947. The first Kashmir war lasted 1948 when India moved to UNESCO which passed resolution 47 on April 21, 1948, stating “that the final disposition of the state of Jammu and Kashmir will be made in accordance with the will of the people through the democratic method of free and impartial plebiscite.” The constituent Assembly under the leadership of Sheikh Abdul la ratified the State’s accession to India.

After Sino Indian war 1962, China got Asia Chin area of Kashmir, the line between them is called as Line of Actual Control. Following the 1965 war, the Tashkent Declaration was issued in Jan, 1966 with no concrete solution of Kashmir. After war of 1971, Simla Accord in July 1972 stated, “the Line of Control shall be respected by both sides without prejudice.” After withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan (1988), the Mujahdin joined the Kashmir’s in their freedom struggle and launched violent resistance and till now 80 thousand Kashmir’s have been killed by more than half million Indian forces. Since hen India is blaming Pakistan of giving armed assistance to the infiltrators. Pakistan calls them freedom fighters and claims that it gives only moral and diplomatic support. The Kargil conflict(1999) did not 3

in international pressure to back off and made the International community more bring either military success or force India to talk on Kashmir. Instead it culminated Pakistan claimsamenable to India’s position on Kashmir. Reasons behind the conflict:

that majority of the Kashmiri Muslims would vote for Pakistan if they are given right of Self Determination which India is constantly denying. In accordance of two nation theory, Muslim majority Kashmir should part of Pakistan. The Indian Army is using barbaric methods to quell the movement. Pakistan believes that election in Kashmir is farce where majority of the people boycott the elections. Indian View: Accession by Maharaja is ‘final and legal and cannot be disputed. For UN plebiscite, Pakistan should vacate its part of Kashmir. The state Assembly had ratified the accession. India does not accept two nation theory. The state is made autonomous by the article of 370. Pakistan is involved in cross border terrorism. Water dispute: Kashmir is the origin point for many rivers and tributaries of the Indus River Basin. Pakistan fears that India could choke the agrarian economy, also the construction of Baghliar dam is an indication of using Pakistan’s waters.

Reasons behind Peace Process and Composite Dialogue:

9/11 drastically changed the world politics, nature of friendships and conflicts. Bush Administration wanted complete annihilation of the terrorists in the region. Three wars and three battles (Run of Kuch, Siachin, Kargil) have miserably failed to bring the desired results by both India and Pakistan. A disturbance on the western borders of Pakistan with Afghanistan has compelled Pakistan to seek peace with India. Pakistan labeled as Terrorist country needs to clear its image of assisting the terrorists in any form.