From 1947 to 2021: The War between India and Pakistan

 

When India got freedom in 1947, there was a grim situation that followed. The Partition. When Gandhi and Mohammad Ali Jinnah agreed to a partition with the British, they never knew what they were getting into. Even today, Gandhi is criticized for agreeing to the Partition, otherwise which India could have been a bigger nation. Anyhow, the Partition displaced up to 12.5 million people and shattered the uncountable lives of many. This resulted in the long-drawn enmity between India and Pakistan and of course, the fight for Jammu & Kashmir, which continues to date.

After Partition, Pakistan became a Muslim State filled with its own share of religious disputes and violence, and India chose to become secular. They believed that Hindus and Muslims are two entirely different religions with different thoughts and hence, can never be a part of one united country. The main reason for the division of India and Pakistan was religion and other reasons such British’s divide-and-rule policy etc. Ever since then, the India-Pakistan struggle has always remained the same. Never once has it become better nor has it been resolved.

After the Partition, there were no bounds to the wars and violence that ensued between the two countries. Two countries that could have been strategically helpful for each other became bitter enemies. They have engaged in several wars over various issues ranging from the infamous J&K issue to border issues as well. One year after Partition began the wars. In 1948, 1965, and 1971, India fought several wars that ensued military tension that has not died down to this day. The nuclear test in 1998 further created problems that are still far from over.

While there have been situations and times when both the countries have tried to work as one, such instance are very less in number. One such instance was where 1960 water treaty was signed. Another such instance happened when the nations resolved the border issues they had in Kutch. This happened in 1965. And finally, in 1998, after the nuclear tests, they decided to exchange their nuclear lists. The latter was a bilateral decision. However, the first was an ultimate result of mediation and arbitration.

Moving on the current scenario between the two countries, it doesn’t look like the problems between them are not going to get over anytime soon. In 2019, the Pulwama attack shook the nation of India. 40 CRPF jawans were killed in a suicide bombing by JeM, a Pakistani terrorist organization. Just two days later, India retaliated by hiking the prices of all imports from India to Pakistan by 200%. Also, in 2016, the infamous URI attack went down and as India’s direct response to the attack, we carried out ‘surgical strikes’ on suspected terrorists across the LoC in Pakistan Administered Jammu & Kashmir.

In the past, there have been several situations where both India and Pakistan have tried to address their issues and solve problems. But that has not worked out for both of them. Both nations have similar trouble spots that will always hinder them in achieving at least partial unity. Their relationship can be improved if dialogues are given a chance. That can, at the very least reduce the issues, if not completely remove them.