The Kashmir conflict consists of the dispute between India and Pakistan for this territory since 1947.
In the 1960s, Pakistan ceded parts of the region to China, increasing tensions between the countries.
Furthermore, the problem is compounded because both nations possess nuclear weapons.
Meaning of Kashmir
Although there are many theories as to the meaning of the word, it is likely that “Kashmir” means “land desiccated by water”. The term refers to the belief that there was a large lake that disappeared.
The word cashmere also designates the wool that comes from native goats and has become known worldwide.
Data on Kashmir
Kashmir is a province located in the far north of India. It borders three countries:China, Pakistan and Tibet (occupied by China) and the population is approximately 12.5 million people (2011).
On the Indian side, its capital in the summer is Jammu, and in the winter, Srinagar.
Since it was integrated into India, the territory has been in constant conflict. In addition to Pakistan, China took over a part of the region after the Sino-Indian War in 1962. Now this part is named Aksai Chin and claimed by India.
See more about the disputed zones on the map below:
Strategic Importance
The Kashmir region is rich in water and concentrates important sources of rivers that bathe the lands of the three neighboring countries.
Pakistan is the most dependent on these waters, and any change in the course of the rivers would harm Pakistani agriculture.
Conflict in 2019
On February 14, 2019, a Pakistani suicide bombing against Indian police officers in Kashmir triggered air strikes between the two countries.
On February 27, 2019, the two countries claimed the downing of air fighters.
The international community has expressed concern about the attacks for fear that both countries will use their nuclear arsenal.
Summary of the conflict between India and Pakistan
The rivalry between India and Pakistan over Kashmir has its origins in the 1940s during India's independence process, when the country ceased to be a British colony.
To avoid conflicts with the Muslim minority, the British government decided to create a state for the faithful of that religion. In this way, West Pakistan and East Pakistan, now Bangladesh, were born.
For the Kashmir region, the British proposed that it be decided through a referendum which country they would like to belong to.
The maharajah who ruled the province at that time, decided to join India. This resolution displeased the local Muslims who protested that the majority of the population in the region was of Pakistani origin and therefore should belong to Pakistan.
An undeclared war between the two countries lasted until 1949. India lost part of the territory of Kashmir, which was incorporated into Pakistan under the name of Azad Kashmir (“Free Kashmir”).
Likewise, it was decided to hold a plebiscite, but India did not comply with this decision, as it considers that the region is its own and it is not necessary to consult the population.
Learn more about this subject:
- Geopolitics
- Asia countries