India-Pakistan Relations

Syllabus: GS2/International Relations

Context

• A new survey by the Centre for Policy Research (CPR) found that the relations between India and Pakistan are unlikely to become better in future.

About

• The downturn in ties between India and Pakistan since 2016, after which no high-level bilateral talks have been held, is clearly mirrored in the survey.
• Previous surveys in 2011 and 2013 had indicated a much higher optimism for reconciliation in the subcontinent.

Brief on India- Pakistan Relations

• India-Pakistan relations are complex and have been marked by periods of tension, conflict, and occasional cooperation since the two countries gained independence from Britain in 1947.

Timeline

• Partition and Early Conflicts: The partition of British India into India and Pakistan in 1947 led to large-scale migrations and violence.
  • The first major conflict came with the First Kashmir War (1947-48) over the disputed region of Jammu and Kashmir.
• Wars and Conflicts: The two countries fought three more major wars:
  • 1965 War: Another conflict over Kashmir, resulting in a UN-mandated ceasefire.
  • 1971 War: Resulted in the independence of Bangladesh (formerly East Pakistan) after a brutal conflict.
  • 1999 Kargil Conflict: A brief but intense conflict in the Kargil district of Kashmir where India emerged victorious.
• Nuclearization: Both countries conducted nuclear tests in 1998, this has added a new dimension to the strategic calculus.
• Peace Efforts and Dialogues: There have been numerous attempts at dialogue and peace-building, including the Agra Summit (2001) and the Lahore Summit (1999).
  • However, progress has often been stymied by various issues, including terrorism and cross-border violence by Pakistan.
• Terrorism and Security Issues: Attacks like the 2001 Indian Parliament attack and the 2008 Mumbai attacks have significantly strained relations.
  • The Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) of Pakistan has been accused of playing a role in several terrorist attacks in India.
• Pulwama Attack: In February 2019, an attack on a convoy of Indian paramilitary forces in Pulwama, Kashmir, killed at least forty soldiers.
  • The attack, claimed by the Pakistani militant group JeM, was the deadliest in Kashmir in three decades. 
  • India retaliated by conducting an air strike that targeted terrorist training camps within Pakistani territory.
• Current Dynamics: The relations remain strained, with sporadic dialogue and efforts at normalization, but ongoing issues like the Kashmir dispute, cross-border terrorism, and political tensions continue to dominate the relationship.

Areas of Cooperation

• Indus Water Treaty: This treaty, established in 1960, governs the use of the Indus River and its tributaries.
  • Despite ongoing disputes, it has largely been successful in managing water resources between the two countries.
• Kartarpur Corridor Agreement (2019): An Agreement between India and Pakistan for the facilitation of pilgrims to visit Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur, Pakistan, was signed in 2019 in order to fulfill the the long-standing demand of the pilgrims to have easy and smooth access to the holy Gurudwara.
• Cricket: Cricket matches between India and Pakistan often attract widespread attention and have sometimes been used as a platform to ease tensions and foster goodwill.
• Bilateral Talks: Periodic diplomatic dialogues and summits, despite their ups and downs, provide platforms for addressing various issues and finding common ground.
• Peace Agreements: Simla Agreement (1972), Lahore Summit Declaration (1999), Agra Summit (2001) are the major peace establishing agreements signed between both the countries.

Way Ahead

• Both countries have significant internal and external challenges that impact their bilateral relations. 
• In keeping with its “Neighbourhood First Policy”, India desires normal neighbourly relations with Pakistan. 
• India  has made clear that it will not compromise on issues relating to national  security and will take firm and decisive steps to deal with all attempts to undermine India’s security and territorial integrity.

Source: TH