The Kashmir Conflict Between India and Pakistan: Deep Roots and the Present Day
The conflicts between South Asia’s two nuclear powers, India and Pakistan, began with the partition of British India in 1947, when the region gained independence, and they have continued ever since. This conflict is not merely a bilateral issue between two countries but also a deep-rooted problem that impacts regional and global stability. Among the most critical and long-standing disputes between India and Pakistan is the Kashmir issue, which is not only a territorial dispute but also a human tragedy caught between national identities, sovereignty rights, and religious divides.
Historical Background of Kashmir
The roots of the Kashmir issue go back to 1947, when the Indian subcontinent gained independence and was partitioned. After British rule ended, a religiously based partition occurred between India and Pakistan. However, during this partition, some independent princely states like Jammu and Kashmir struggled to determine their fate and became victims of political polarization and intrigue. The largest of these, Jammu and Kashmir, had a Muslim-majority population, yet its Maharaja at the time, Hari Singh, decided to accede to India.
This decision sparked massive opposition among the population. Pakistan advocated for the right of the Kashmiri people to self-determination and claimed that the majority Muslim population wanted to join Pakistan. India, on the other hand, asserted that Kashmir had historically been part of its territory and that the will of the local people was vital for preserving national unity. This laid the foundation for the first India-Pakistan war in 1947.
Wars in Kashmir and the Simla Agreement
After the first war in 1947, disputes over Kashmir's status continued between India and Pakistan. In 1965, another war broke out over the control of Kashmir. Lasting about a month and resulting in thousands of deaths, the war had no clear victor. The United Nations called for a ceasefire and urged both sides to negotiate to prevent further conflict over Kashmir.
In response, the Simla Agreement was signed in 1971, marking a turning point between India and Pakistan. Signed by Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi (later assassinated) and Pakistani Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto (later executed following a military coup), the Simla Agreement emphasized the need for mutual respect for borders and stated that Kashmir's status should not be changed. However, this agreement later became highly controversial in Pakistan.
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto made several concessions to India during the Simla Agreement. The Pakistani public criticized these concessions, leading to deep internal divisions. Among many Pakistanis, the Simla Agreement was seen as a defeat, fueling public outrage against Bhutto’s government.
The Bangladesh Independence Movement and Aftermath
Just a few years after the Simla Agreement, in 1971, Pakistan’s eastern province launched an independence movement. This struggle turned into a bloody war against Pakistan, with India supporting the independence movement. The conflict ended with the establishment of the state of Bangladesh and India’s military intervention helping secure its victory over Pakistan.
Bangladesh’s independence further strained India-Pakistan relations. While India supported the new nation’s sovereignty, for Pakistan, it was a major disappointment and a national defeat. These developments made it even more difficult to find a solution to the Kashmir issue.
The Assassinations of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Indira Gandhi
Following the Simla Agreement, major political turmoil continued in Pakistan. In 1977, Bhutto’s Pakistan People’s Party government was overthrown in a military coup led by General Zia-ul-Haq. Bhutto was arrested and executed. His execution triggered widespread unrest and left a deep political trauma in Pakistan.
On the other hand, Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated in 1984. Her assassination was linked to her harsh policies toward the Sikh community. Her death shocked the nation and heightened tensions in India-Pakistan relations.
Security Issues After the Simla Agreement
While the Simla Agreement initially brought hope for resolution, internal political changes and shifting international conditions cast doubt on its viability over time. Pakistan’s public rejected the concessions made by Bhutto, while India strengthened its control over Kashmir, triggering a new wave of conflict.
The 2025 Crisis and a New Era
On April 25, 2025, a terrorist attack on tourists in Kashmir’s Pahalgam region sparked a new wave of tension in India-Pakistan relations. After the attack, Pakistan officially announced the termination of the Simla Agreement. India viewed this move as a threat to its national security and considered it a cause for war. Rising Hindu nationalism and anti-Muslim sentiment under the Modi government further complicated any resolution to the Kashmir issue. Modi's policies, driven by a growing nationalist trend, intensified tensions with Pakistan.
Under Imran Khan, Pakistan had adopted a more cautious diplomatic approach, trying to ease tensions with India. However, by the mid-2020s, political changes and rising nationalism in Pakistan brought about a more aggressive stance. These leadership changes led to more pressure and conflict rather than solutions.
Geographical and Geopolitical Situation
Today, around 55% of Kashmir is under Indian control, 30% under Pakistan, and 15% under China. This fragmented status not only fuels India-Pakistan conflict but also escalates tensions between China and India. China's control of the Aksai Chin region and the territory it received from Pakistan (Shaksgam Valley) have further complicated the geopolitical balance in the region.
Kashmir also holds strategic value due to its natural resources and transit routes, attracting interest from major powers like China, making them active players in the conflict.
Struggle for Identity and the Future
Kashmir is not only a territorial issue but also a struggle for the identity of its people. While Kashmiri Muslims fight for their identity and independence, India and Pakistan view the region as a battleground for their national interests. This growing tension underscores the complexity of the conflict.
Most of the Kashmiri population is still striving to reclaim lost lands from past wars and determine their own future. However, the current situation shows how difficult this struggle remains.
Conclusion and Hope for Peace
Until the Kashmir issue is resolved, lasting peace and stability in South Asia will remain elusive. As both India and Pakistan defend their geopolitical interests and national sovereignty, the future of the Kashmiri people grows increasingly uncertain. This poses a major security threat not just for the region but for the entire world.
Mutlu Akgün
Istanbul
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