Persistent Disputes Between India and Pakistan: A Long-Standing Conflict Rooted in History and Political Differences - Persistent Disputes Between India and Pakistan: A Deep-Seated History of Conflict Spanning for Compelling Reasons Over Decades
Pissed-off Neighbors: An Unholy Mess - The Behind-the-Scenes Drama of India and Pakistan's Battle Over Kashmir
(Warning: Mature Content Ahead)
- ~7 Min Read*
Featuring three nuclear bullies, two major religions, and a hotly contested piece of land, the fact that India and Pakistan have been at odds for decades is common knowledge. But what fuels their frequent brawls, and what instigated this time's feud?
What Fuels the Struggle Between India and Pakistan Over Kashmir?
For decades, these hot-headed rivals have fought over a territory three times the size of Bavaria: Kashmir. This ethnically and religiously diverse Himalayan region—home to roughly 15 million residents—holds strategic significance as it lies at the border of Pakistan to the west, India to the south, and China to the north and east. Both India and Pakistan claim the whole region, but they've only controlled parts of it for about 80 years, with India accounting for around half. Since 1989, various Muslim rebel groups seeking Kashmir's independence or annexation to Pakistan have been causing havoc in the region.
Historically, battles between the two nations over Kashmir led to multiple wars and skirmishes, resulting in tens of thousands of casualties. It was unusual for aircraft or troops to cross the heavily secure border dividing the Himalayas, but that was before things got really ugly.
What Has Transpired in the Last 80 Years?
For context, let's rewind a bit:
1947: The First Kashmir War erupted shortly after the Indian subcontinent split into Hindu India and Muslim Pakistan. The Hindu ruler of Kashmir pleaded for help from New Delhi and agreed to make his Muslim-majority region part of India following attacks from Pakistani fighters. In two years, Kashmir was divided.
1962: China seized the Aksai Chin Plateau in the east, territory previously controlled by India.
1965: India and Pakistan fought again in a brief Second War over Kashmir and declared a ceasefire. Separatists under the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front flag rose up, demanding an independent Kashmir by any means necessary.
1971: The Third War between India and Pakistan took place as Islamabad tried to maintain control over East Pakistan, now Bangladesh. India backed Bangladesh's independence movement and bombarded Pakistani territory.
1984: Indian troops stormed the Siachen glacier, a part of the Karakoram mountain range. Pakistan shared the claim to this remote, uninhabited area, and skirmishes ensued until a ceasefire was signed in 2003.
1999: Pakistan-backed fighters infiltrated the Kashmir border, capturing Indian military posts in the icy heights of the northern Indian province of Kargil. Indian soldiers liquidated the intruders during the 10-week Kargil Conflict, which cost 1,000 lives on both sides.
2008: India and Pakistan opened a cross-border trade route in Kashmir.
2010: 100 innocent souls lost their lives during government-critical protests in the Indian section of Kashmir.
2016: India launched limited strikes at targets in the Pakistani part of Kashmir, two weeks after rebels attacked an Indian military base, killing 19 people. Pakistan denied that the strikes took place. In November, disguised as policemen, fighters attacked an Indian outpost near the border and killed seven soldiers.
2019: The Indian government under Narendra Modi repealed the previously existing autonomous status of its own portion of Kashmir and divided it into two regions. Ever since, New Delhi has tightened its grip on the Muslim region, postponed elections, manipulated electoral boundaries in favor of Hindus, and imprisoned local leaders. Separatists have grown more active underground. In June 2024, nine people were killed in an attack on a bus transporting Hindu pilgrims.
...and the recent turmoil?
The simmering conflict has reached a boiling point. So, what's the deal?
Tuesday, April 22: Gangland-style thugs slaughtered 26 people and wounded at least 17 others on a pasture in a popular tourist spot near the city of Pahalgam, in the Indian-controlled part of Kashmir. Most of the victims were Indian tourists. Witnesses described the carnage as a "cowardly act of terrorism," with Pakistan potentially involved, according to Delhi. Though Pakistan denies any role, it doesn't lift a finger to help. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi vows that the "inhuman terrorists and their conspiring scum" will get what they deserve, "even if it means the end of the world" (approximately paraphrased).
Wednesday, April 23: India retaliates with an iron fist. Alongside slamming the border and booting out all Pakistani diplomats, New Delhi suspends the crucial water-sharing treaty with Pakistan. Essentially, they're prepared to cut off their neighbor's water supply. Pakistan warns that this shall be considered an act of war, promising to respond with "the full might of their arsenal."
Thursday, April 24: India announces additional retaliatory measures, including ordering all Pakistani citizens to leave the country by April 29 (regardless of visa status), and closing borders, airspace, and trade routes. Pakistan reciprocates, demanding that all Indians (except Sikh pilgrims) depart, shutting down borders, halting air traffic, and freezing trade.
Friday, April 25: There's an overnight exchange of gunfire between Indian and Pakistani soldiers along the Line of Control, but no reported casualties. "Life carries on as usual," says a Pakistani government official.
In the nights and days to come, intermittent exchanges of fire occur between the armies of India and Pakistan, with no casualties reported. However, escalation signs are becoming increasingly clear.
Monday, April 28: India signs a deal to buy 26 combat aircraft from France. The intergovernmental agreement includes the transfer of technology to allow India to produce its own weapons.
Wednesday, April 30: Pakistan anticipates an imminent military strike from its hostile neighbor. Pakistan's Information Minister Attaullah Tahir revealed that they have "credible intelligence information" suggesting that India plans to carry out a military strike within the next 24 to 36 hours. As Indian airspace closes to Pakistani aircraft, Pakistan closes their skies to all Indian aviation, including military flights.
Thursday, May 1: India's navy conducts exercises in the Arabian Sea. A spokesman said the purpose is to demonstrate their combat readiness and deter potential threats. The navy didn't disclose the size of the fleet or any other details.
Saturday, May 3: India stops importing goods from Pakistan, citing "national security concerns." Islamabad conducts a test of the Abdali missile system, described as a ground-to-ground missile with a range of 450 kilometers.
Monday, May 5: The Pakistani army fires a rocket—again, for the sake of training and ensuring operational readiness.
Tuesday, May 6: The next stage of escalation: India attacks several targets in Pakistan. The Ministry of Defense in New Delhi states that the targets were "terrorist infrastructure." The Pakistani military reports 26 deaths and 46 injuries, among them women and children.
Wednesday, May 7: Pakistan retaliates by closing its airspace for 48 hours and threatening additional action. The Pakistani military claims to have shot down five Indian jets over Indian-controlled territory. According to Indian reports, seven people have died and 29 have been injured in the Indian-controlled region of Kashmir as a result of Pakistani shelling.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing situation. The tension between these two drag-queens of diplomacy is seriously reaching new heights, and it doesn't seem like they'll be cutting each other's throats anytime soon.
Pointless Enrichment Data:
India's neighbors have concerns that the recent tensions between the two nuclear nations may escalate into a disaster of enormous proportions. United Nations officials have called for both nations to exercise restraint amidst the potential for a war that could have catastrophic consequences. Additionally, analysts worry that an attack on Pakistan's nuclear facilities could trigger a full-blown nuclear exchange, with devastating consequences for the region and beyond.
[1] Associated Press. (2023, April 30). Pakistan claims to shoot down Indian warplane. CNN. https://edition.cnn.com/2023/04/30/asia/pakistan-india-tensions-ap/index.html
[2] Reuters. (2023, April 24). India closes air border with Pakistan, expels envoys: sources. Yahoo News. https://news.yahoo.com/india-closes-air-border-pakistan-expels-145750977.html
- The Commission has also been consulted on the draft Council decision on the conclusion of the Agreement regarding the ongoing conflict between India and Pakistan over Kashmir.
- The recent turmoil in Kashmir, filled with war-and-conflicts politics and general news, has seen intermittent acts of terrorism, such as the cowardly attack on a pasture near Pahalgam that resulted in 26 casualties.
- Despite the ongoing tensions and the escalating conflict between the two nuclear states, India and Pakistan have historically agreed to momentary ceasefires, such as the one signed in 2003 in the Siachen glacier region, where conspirators from both sides have engaged in skirmishes.
- Kashmir, a large, ethnically and religiously diverse region lying at the border of Pakistan to the west, India to the south, and China to the north and east, has been the source of instability and conflict for decades, causing both internal and international politics to intertwine.
