Question

Explain the reasons for disputes in between India and Pakistan. Mention the attempts taken for its solution.

Hint:

For this question, always start with Kashmir as the primary dispute. When discussing attempts at solutions, it's crucial to mention that these peace initiatives are often undermined by subsequent acts of conflict or terrorism, highlighting the cyclical nature of the relationship.

Answer 1

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This question asks for a two-part analysis of the India-Pakistan relationship. First, it requires an explanation of the core issues that have caused conflict between the two nations since their inception. Second, it asks to list some of the major efforts made over the years to resolve these disputes.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Part 1: Reasons for Disputes
The relationship between India and Pakistan has been plagued by hostility and mistrust since the Partition of 1947. The key reasons for disputes are:
1. The Kashmir Issue: This is the central and most persistent dispute. Both countries claim the entire former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir. This dispute has led to three major wars (1947-48, 1965, 1999) and countless smaller conflicts. Pakistan's support for insurgency and separatism in the Kashmir valley has been a primary driver of conflict.
2. Cross-Border Terrorism: India has consistently accused Pakistan of sponsoring and supporting terrorist groups that carry out attacks on Indian soil. Major incidents like the 2008 Mumbai attacks, the 2001 Parliament attack, and the 2019 Pulwama attack, all traced back to Pakistan-based outfits, have severely damaged relations and brought the countries to the brink of war.
3. Disputes over Water Resources: The sharing of waters of the Indus river system has been a point of contention. Although the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 has largely held, there are frequent disagreements over the construction of dams and hydropower projects by India on the western rivers.
4. Siachen Glacier and Sir Creek Disputes: These are two other territorial disputes. The Siachen Glacier is the world's highest battlefield where troops have been stationed since 1984. The Sir Creek dispute involves the demarcation of the maritime boundary in the marshlands of the Rann of Kutch.
Part 2: Attempts at Solution
Despite the conflicts, several attempts have been made to find solutions.
1. Bilateral Summits and Agreements:
- Shimla Agreement (1972): Following the 1971 war, Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto agreed to resolve all disputes bilaterally and peacefully. It also led to the establishment of the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir.
- Lahore Declaration (1999): A major peace initiative by Prime Ministers Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Nawaz Sharif, which aimed at building trust and resolving issues, including Kashmir. However, it was followed shortly by the Kargil War.
- Agra Summit (2001): An unsuccessful summit between Prime Minister Vajpayee and President Pervez Musharraf.
2. Ceasefire Agreements: A ceasefire along the Line of Control was agreed upon in 2003, which largely held for several years and was recently reaffirmed in February 2021. These agreements help in reducing daily violence and creating a conducive atmosphere for talks.
3. Composite Dialogue Process: This was a comprehensive dialogue process initiated in the early 2000s to discuss all outstanding issues, including Kashmir, terrorism, economic cooperation, and territorial disputes, in a structured manner. However, the process has been repeatedly stalled by terrorist attacks.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The main reasons for disputes between India and Pakistan are the core issue of Kashmir, Pakistan-sponsored cross-border terrorism, and other territorial and water-sharing conflicts. Numerous attempts at solutions have been made through bilateral summits like the Shimla Agreement and Lahore Declaration, ceasefire agreements, and structured dialogue processes, but they have been repeatedly derailed by continued hostility and terrorist incidents.