Program Information

For generations the world has watched with deep concern as the territory of Kashmir has been disputed, a prize between two contending and nuclear armed nations, India and Pakistan.

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Transcript

Lead: For generations the world has watched with deep concern as the territory of Kashmir has been disputed, a prize between two contending and nuclear armed nations, India and Pakistan.

Intro.: A Moment in Time with Dan Roberts.

Content: In January 1949, Kashmir, which lies to the north of both India and Pakistan, was divided by the United Nations. Both India and Pakistan believe they have legitimate claim to the region. Pakistan, a largely Muslim country, considers Kashmir, also majority Muslim, a natural extension. They also believe if a plebiscite (or referendum) were held on the matter as directed by the United Nations, the predominantly Muslim Kashmir would choose to join Pakistan. The government of Pakistan does not recognize that Kashmir ever legally belonged to India.

On the other hand, India regards the Instrument of Accession, made by the Hindu Maharaja of Kashmir in 1947, to be legitimate. To complicate matters even more, in 1962 Chinese troops took control of northeastern Kashmir.

Today India controls almost half of the region – the central and southeast called “Jammu and Kashmir” with a population of about 10 million. Pakistan controls about one third of the region – in the Northwest called Izad or Free Kashmir with a population of over 3 million. China controls 20% of the region – in the Northeast with a negligible population.

India and Pakistan have fought several wars over the territory and on numerous occasions tensions have arisen over one hostile act or another. The dispute continues to arouse the spectre of war. Since the early years of the 21st century, human rights organizations have raised concern over violations and abuses on both sides of the divide. This concern is heightened in the international community for two ominous reasons. First, there has been an alarming infusion of extreme militants into the region. And with both India and Pakistan in possession of nuclear weapons, the area is a tinderbox with the prospect that other nations in the region might be inadvertently drawn into wider, more devastating conflict emerging from the dispute over Kashmir.

At the University of Richmond, this is Dan Roberts.

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