Kashmir

Kashmir is a region in the northern part of the Indian subcontinent. The term Kashmir historically described the valley just to the south of the easternmost end of the Himalayan range. Politically, however, the term 'Kashmir' describes a much larger area which includes the regions of Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh. The region is currently divided amongst three countries: Pakistan controls the northwest portion (Northern Areas, Pakistan and Azad Kashmir), India controls the southern portion ("Jammu & Kashmir"), and China controls the northeastern portion ("Aksai Chin"). Though these regions in practice are administered by their respective claimants, India has never formally recognized the accession of the areas claimed by Pakistan and China. Pakistan views the entire Kashmir region as disputed territory, and does not consider India's claim to it to be valid.

The events of partition

In 1947, the colony British India gained independence. It was decided that two countries would be formed, Pakistan and India, where Pakistan would have a majority Muslim population, and India a majority Hindu population. It had been agreed that regions with more than 70% Muslim population would become part of Pakistan. However, there were exceptions for a number of autonomous regions, mostly principalities; these could decide to either join India, Pakistan, or even remain independent.

Kashmir, which had a predominantly Muslim population, was one of these autonomous states, ruled by a Hindu Maharaja, who had been installed by the British rules after centuries of disorder in the region. In 1947, the Maharaja fled to India, following riots in Kashmir. There, he asked for the aid of the Indian army, agreeing that Kashmir would become part of India. The Indians intervened in Kashmir, claiming the riots were caused by troublemakers from Pakistan. The Pakistan army subsequently also intervened, claiming the riots were started by the Kashmiri population themselves, arguing they wanted to be part of Pakistan, and that the Maharaja had no hereditary rights on Kashmir.

The resulting war lasting until 1949, when a cease-fire was negotiated by the United Nations, dividing Kashmir between Indian-held and Pakistani-held territory. The United Nations pressed for a vote among the population, which was denied by India, which had held its own poll in the Indian-held part of Kashmir.

In 1959, China annexed the Aksai Chin region of Kashmir and agreed upon the newly gained border with Pakistan, a move met with great anger in India and which led to the Sino-Indian War of 1962. In 1965 and 1971-1972, heavy fighting again broke out in the Kashmir area, resulting in 1972 in some territorial gain by the Indians at a newly signed cease-fire.

Recent developments in Kashmir

There has been a territorial conflict over Kashmir since India and Pakistan gained independence in 1947; several wars have been fought over it.

Both sides remain steadfast in their assertion that Kashmir belongs entirely to them, and efforts to mediate have proven futile.

In recent years, an uneasy truce has developed over a de-facto "line of control" that represented the front-line between the two countries' armed forces.

Kashmir is currently divided into several areas controlled by different countries:

Part is included in the Indian province of Jammu and Kashmir

Northern Areas, Pakistan

Azad Kashmir

Aksai Chin controlled by China.

In early 2002, India and Pakistan escalated their threats towards one another, driven by their territorial dispute and recent terrorist attacks in India.

This has led to fears of nuclear war in the subcontinent.

June 10, 2002: After intensive diplomatic efforts by other countries, India and Pakistan have toned down their aggressive rhetoric towards one another, and are hoped to be preparing to make conciliatory moves towards one another.