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India and Pakistan
Since the founding of India and Pakistan as separate states in 1947, the dispute over who should control Kashmir has been one of the world's most enduring and violent conflicts. In 1999, the two states came close to war over a border incursion by Muslim partisans into the Kargil region which borders Kashmir in India. According to the Indian government those involved were trained in and backed by Pakistan.
In 1998, both India and Pakistan successfully test-exploded nuclear devices, leading many to fear a new arms race. India claims it needs nuclear weapons in case of possible future confrontations with China, with whom it fought a border war in the 1960s. There are also signs of a religious conflict at play, pitting predominantly Hindu India against Muslim Pakistan. The US led war against neighboring Afghanistan is raising concerns that the conflict may escalate tensions in Kashmir as skirmishes between Indian and Pakistani forces are regularly reported along the Line of Control.
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Key Documents | Articles | Archives | Links
Key Documents
Security Council resolution 307 (1971) of 21 December 1971
Articles
2008 |2006 |2005 | 2004 | 2003 | Archived Articles2008
Trade through Kashmir Can Heal Rift (October 26, 2008))
India and Pakistan have partially restored trade relations in Kashmir as a part of the peace process, which started in 2004. Although the resumed trade measures are minimal and more symbolic than practical, they contribute to confidence building and to the peace process in the region. (Inter Press Service)2006
Contending Nationalisms – Kashmir and the Prospects for Peace (2006)
India and Pakistan’s dispute over Kashmir started in 1947 and led to wars between both countries in 1947, 1965 and 1971. The governments of India and Pakistan demonize each other as responsible for terrorism and they distort the history of the conflict in textbooks. This undermines the peace process and negatively influences Indian and Pakistani citizens living in Kashmir. (Harvard International Review)2005
Role of Public Sentiment in Relations Thaw Noted at Conference (February 28, 2005)
A UN conference brought together over 250 diplomats, political experts and peace activists from India and Pakistan in search of a resolution to the 58-year old conflict over Kashmir. Pakistan's UN Ambassador Munir Akram observed "popular sentiment in favor of peace and normal relations between Pakistan and India," echoing Pakistani Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri's statement that there has been much "progress on people to people contacts." Various political factors, such as a potential Security Council seat for India could push the peace process, and participants stressed that now is the time to pressure both governments. (Radio Free Europe/ Radio Liberty)
2004
India Announces Troop Reductions in Kashmir (November 12, 2004)
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will reduce the 500,000 troops currently in Kashmir in a move that could ease tensions between India and Pakistan. Singh said better counter-infiltration measures against Pakistani militants and the people's support for the "war against terrorism" has improved security in the region. Kashmiri separatists welcome the move but say that Indian troops continue to commit human rights abuses, acting more like an occupying power than like a security force. (Guardian)Musharraf Calls For National Debate on Kashmir Options (October 26, 2004)
Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf has called for a national debate to change Pakistan's Kashmir policy. Islamabad has long supported a plebiscite in Kashmir, but New Delhi rejects the solution. Musharraf now proposes demilitarization of the region followed by a change in status, which could include independence or joint control between India and Pakistan. Islamist groups in Pakistan have strongly rejected Musharraf's proposals. (Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty)Solving Kashmir Without the Kashmiris (October 10, 2004)
On September 24, 2004, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf announced proposed efforts for a "peaceful" and "negotiated" settlement on the Kashmir issue. However, they did not mention any role for the Kashmiri people in a settlement and both India and Pakistan have ignored Kashmiri calls for independence. Meanwhile, India has doubts over Pakistan's sincerity, and Pakistan sees India's stance as a possible ploy to gain a permanent seat on the Security Council. (truthout)India and Pakistan: Good Fences Make Good Neighbors (July 4, 2004)
India is building a fence along the Line of Control, a 460 mile cease-fire line between Indian and Pakistani-held Kashmir. Although India insists that the fence aims to prevent Pakistani infiltrators from crossing into India, the barrier has the “symbolic potential” to “make the cease-fire line more like an international border.” The fence separates some farmers from their fields and hampers movement but receives surprisingly muted opposition from Pakistan. (New York Times)Pakistan and India Agree to Peace Talks (February 19, 2004)
Following three years of impasse, India and Pakistan have resumed substantive peace talks and agreed to a "basic road map" for future peace negotiations. Despite continued divergence over the Kashmir issue, the Pakistani Foreign Secretary Riaz Khokar has expressed hope that the "road map will eventually lead to the settlement of all outstanding disputes [...] in the direction of durable peace." (Washington Post)
2003
Arms Race Leaves Medicine behind (November 12, 2003)
Arms control advocates argue that “all external assistance” to India and Pakistan “frees resources for arms spending.” Both countries divert huge portions of their budgets to their military buildup. But in terms of human development, both countries rank among the poorest third, as hardly any government money flows into social services such as education and health care programs. (Los Angeles Times)Kashmir Is Not Integral Part of India: Musharraf (October 14, 2003)
Pakistan leader Pervez Musharraf insists that the Kashmir issue remains subject to Security Council resolutions, and he rejects India's claims on the territory. Musharraf also made the provocative declaration that India's approach does not reflect positively on a would-be Security Council member. (Pakistan News)Pakistan Calls for Replication of UN Role in Bougainville (August 8, 2003)
The Ambassador of Pakistan praised the role of the UN in facilitating the peace process with the South Pacific island of Bougainville, which seeks independence from Papua New Guinea. He calls for similar UN involvement in the long-simmering issue of Kashmir. (Pakistan News Service)Target Next: Indian Military Bases (April 21, 2003)
A report commissioned by the US Department of Defense states the strategic importance of Indian military infrastructure for the US and the establishment of US airbases in India. These enable Washington "to be able to touch the rest of the world," say US lieutenant generals. (Rediff)Pakistan Will Go to Any Extent If Attacked by India: Jamali (April 15, 2003)
India has threatened to adopt the US doctrine of pre-emption for Kashmir. Pakistan reacted by saying it would go to "any extent" to defend itself, while the UN remains inactive. "The UN needs a wake up call, they have to decide certain issues," says Pakistan's Prime Minister. (Hindustan Times)India's "Middle Path" Through War in Iraq: A Devious Route to the US Camp (April 14, 2003)
India, Washington's closet strategic ally in the region, is drawing a link between US support for its position on Pakistan and its statements on the military invasion of Iraq. The US knows full well that the country is with the empire, not against it, says Foreign Policy In Focus.India to Test Long-Range Missile (April 6, 2003)
Western nations have gradually lifted sanctions against both India and Pakistan as the two countries became allies in the "war on terror." However, the two countries continue escalating their nuclear arms race. (CNN)India and Pakistan Test Fire Missiles (March 26, 2003)
India and Pakistan both test fired nuclear-capable missiles following a violent incident in the region of Kashmir, raising tensions on both sides. Previous tests caused international consternation, provoking economic sanctions by the US and other Western nations. (Guardian)Pakistan Urges UN to Work on Kashmir Resolutions (March 12, 2003)
Addressing the UN Security Council, the Pakistani Ambassador has called on the UN to solve the Kashmir issue “in accordance with its resolutions and promises made to the people.” (Pakistanlink)
Back to the top
United States Institute of Peace Library - links by topical categories to resources providing information on the Kashmir conflict. Links
Kashmir in the United Nations - all UN and Security Council resolutions on Kashmir.
Kashmir: Legal Documents - a collection of 140 government and UN documents (1846 - 1999) from the pro-Indian Kashmir Information Network.
UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP)
More Information on the Security Council
Archived Articles from 1998 to 2001
