The Kashmir dispute dates from 1947. The partition of the Indian sub-continent along religious lines led to the formation of India and Pakistan. Because of its location, Kashmir could choose to join either India or Pakistan. Pakistan fails to recognize the Instrument of Accession signed by Maharaja Hari Singh on October 26, 1947 ceding Kashmir to India as they believe it was signed for the sole purpose of military assistance.
Many wars have been fought between the two countries over the issue.Once this happened, a "free and fair" plebiscite was to be held to allow the Kashmiri people to decide their future. Pakistan ignored the UN mandate and continued fighting, holding on to the portion of Kashmir under its control. In 1957, Kashmir was formally incorporated into the Indian Union. It was granted a special status under Article 370 of India's constitution.
India’s official position on Kashmir is that the territory is an integral part of India. Contrarily, Pakistan’s official position is that the people of Kashmir should decide which country they wish to join.China has an additional stake in the region, as it occupies about 20% of Kashmir and believes it to be part of Tibet, which is a part of China. Some Kashmiri independence groups have pushed for independence.
Sixty years have passed by since Kashmir conflict was first debated in the U. N and yet the conflict continues to elude a solution. The first group of United Nations military observers arrived in the mission area on 24 January of 1949 to supervise the ceasefire between India and Pakistan in the State of Jammu and Kashmir.These observers, under the command of the Military Adviser appointed by the UN Secretary-General, formed the nucleus of the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP). Following renewed hostilities of 1971, UNMOGIP has remained in the area to observe developments pertaining to the strict observance of the ceasefire of 17 December 1971 and report thereon to the Secretary-General. The UN involvement has been limited to ceasefire negotiations and an attempted plebiscite.
During the 1948 Indo-Pakistani War, the UN Security Council passed Resolutions 39 and 47, establishing the creation of a United Nations Commission on India and Pakistan (UNCIP). UNCIP then passed resolutions calling for a ceasefire across the Line of Control. The Security Council also brokered a ceasefire in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 and enforced it with Resolution 211. The United Nations must take a more proactive role in resolving the Kashmir Conflict.The United Nations must first encourage the normalization of relations between India and Pakistan by encouraging sharing of intelligence and increased cooperation in combating extremism, providing economic incentives to foster bilateral trade, creating a commission to investigate and prevent state-sponsored terrorism in both nations and providing peacekeeping troops to secure the borders of India, Pakistan, and Kashmir and prevent the movement of militants. Sudan understands and empathizes with the position of Kashmir as we have undergone similar tension in our country.
A referendum is taking place in Southern Sudan from 9 January until 15 January 2011, on whether the region should remain a part of Sudan or be independent. The referendum is one of the consequences of the 2005 Naivasha Agreement between the Khartoum central government and the Sudan People's Liberation Army/Movement (SPLA/M). A simultaneous referendum was supposed to be held in Abyei on whether to become part of Southern Sudan but it has been postponed due to conflict over demarcation and residency rights.Perhaps no area is more volatile and carries more implications for Sudan’s future than the oil rich region of Abyei, Sudan’s “Kashmir”—astride the boundary between North and South roughly 500 miles southwest of Khartoum. There lies one of the most potent of tripwires in all of Sudan.
If the political crisis regarding Abyei is addressed, there is potential for peace in the entire country.If it is mishandled, it dramatically increases the possibility that Sudan’s current conflicts, from Darfur to the South to the East, will explode over the coming few years into a national war with egional implications and historically devastating repercussions for its people. Sudan is an ally of India and feels that Kashmir is an integral part of India. If all Kashmiris return to Kashmir and if the government of India gives them what they are demanding (right to self determination) then Kashmir is very likely to end up in the same mess that it is in today. The Hindu’s, Buddhists and many Shia Muslims will want to remain with India and the remaining population might want independence or be a part of Pakistan.What Kashmir needs are real leaders who understand the art of compromise and can get the best deal possible for their people given the circumstances.
What Kashmir needs is a Nehru and not a Gandhi. Gandhi wanted British India to remain as is. It was a noble goal but not practical. Nehru understood that partition was inevitable. His negotiation skills and his relationship with the British ensured that a large part of British India remained with India. India alone has the economic strength to develop Kashmir's so far untapped water-power potential and mineral resources.
Historical and cultural ties were adduced as evidence that Kashmir was and had always been an integral part of India. Kashmir enjoys special status under India’s Constitution. It is an autonomous state. In practical terms, Kashmir could demand a return to its pre-1953 state (i.
e. its own constitution, flag and prime minister; and all government power, except in areas of defence, foreign affairs and communications). Any such autonomy will come after negotiations between India and a properly constituted Kashmiri government.The failure to begin such discussions is a result of the continued violence in Kashmir by Muslim insurgents.
Kashmir will enjoy far greater benefits, never mind security, if it remains part of India as an autonomous state. The rights of Kashmir’s Hindu and Buddhist minorities must be protected. Jammu and Kashmir is 60% Muslim meaning one of two outcomes in a plebiscite: either Kashmir becomes an independent, but Muslim state, or it accedes to Pakistan. In either case, the Kashmir problem might continue, with the only change being who is oppressed and who the oppressor is.Kashmir at this point of time does not have the resources it requires to become a country of its own.
Indian troops are needed in Kashmir not just to protect India’s strategic interests but also to preserve peace between the militant Kashmiri groups themselves. There is no guarantee from the militants that independent Kashmir will be a secular democracy with equal rights for minorities. All these reasons make one wonder whether Kashmir wants the right to self-determination or self-delusion.Referencehttp://debatepedia.idebate.org/en/index.php/Debate:_Kashmir_self_determination
