Content area
Full Text
Abstract
The chapter studies different aspects of the sub-conflict of Kashmir that has become the one of the most dangerous issue not only in South Asia but also in the world. It is so important that it might be studied as a full conflict in itself. Therefore the significance of the movement is vital to be understood. The study explores the development of the sub-conflict of Kashmir over the broader inter-state conflict between India and Pakistan has also been examined. The possible solutions of the sub-conflict have equally been seen.
Keywords: India, Pakistan, Kashmir, dispute, conflict
Introduction
Kashmir is located at the junction of Pakistan, India, Afghanistan and China in the Himalayan mountains. India's Mughal emperors by the beauty of its surroundings called Kashmir paradise. The total area of state of Kashmir that is a former princely state of British India was 86,023 square miles. In the last seven decades Kashmir became a paradise lost. Its people were trapped in the current of a bitter dispute between India and Pakistan. It became a focal point of inter-state conflict in the first and second India-Pakistan wars, in 1947-1948 and 1965, started on the dispute over Kashmir, and the territory also saw heavy fighting in the third war in 1971 (Bose, 2004).
At the time of partition of Indian Jammu and Kashmir including Aksai Chin, had an area of 222,236 square kilometers. Out of this area Kashmir had 10 percent, Jammu 14.4 percent, and the frontier districts 75.6 percent. According to the census of 1941 population of Kashmir was 4.02 millions, 77 percent were Muslims and 20 percent were Hindus. Today 45.62 percent of the original state territory is with India, 35.15 percent with Pakistan and 19.23 percent with China. The Line of Control (L°C) divides Jammu and Kashmir to 778 KM long area and there is an uncontested border of 198 km between the part of state with India and Pakistani Punjab. In the Siachen area there is an undefined line about 150 km separating India and Pakistan (Karnad, 2004).
Significance of the Sub-Conflict over Kashmir
Very few issues emerging from the partition of India in 1947 have proved to be as difficult and problematic as the sub-conflict between India and Pakistan over the former...