How successful was Pakistan in its relationship with India between 1947 and 1988? [14] (Past Paper, June 2001: Q5/c)

Relations between India and Pakistan have been hostile from the date the two countries came into existence in August 1947. The first confrontation came along over the accession of Kashmir. United Nations promised a plebiscite which India never agreed to conduct. Kashmir conflict is the root cause of poor relations between the two countries.

At the time of partition, India created serious problems for Pakistan on the division of financial assets and military equipment. Payment of rupees was delayed and only broken equipment was handed over to Pakistan. Canal Water Dispute, triggered by India was another important event that provoked Pakistan’s anger. Such issues strained the bilateral relations.

A good move was made in April 1950 when both countries signed the Minority Pact to control the migration of refugees across the border. Each country promised that she would safeguard the minorities within her territories.

Tension was escalated when Indian-occupied Kashmir was tried in 1954 to integrate with India. Pakistan reacted with protests and called on the UN to resolve the issue.

Indus Water Treaty between India and Pakistan, signed with the help of World Bank in September 1960, was a breakthrough that came up with a water-sharing formula and thus settled the water dispute.

Bilateral talks in 1963 at foreign ministers level failed on the issue of Kashmir. Both countries went into full-scale war in September 1965. Ceasefire was made after 17 days. The war created immense bitterness in mutual relations.

Tashkent Agreement, made in January 1966, was another significant milestone in normalizing relations. Both sides agreed to resolve their issues peacefully through dialogue and that economic and diplomatic relations would be restored.

India played major role in the separation of Bengal from Pakistan. She patronized Mukti Bahini, the independence movement of Bengalis. India gave them weapons, military training and base camps. Finally India’s army directly attacked East Pakistan resulting in the creation of independent Bangladesh. After this incident relations went extremely hostile with India.

Simla Agreement between the prime ministers of India and Pakistan in 1972 was another positive move towards diffusing the tension and establishing good trade relations.

India’s nuclear test in 1974 once again put Pakistan under great strain. India became a serious threat to Pakistan’s security. Nuclear arms race started between the two countries.

In early 1980s, the Sikh community in Punjab launched the Khalistan Movement demanding a separate homeland. India blamed Pakistan for secretly plotting the movement and providing arms to Sikh freedom fighter though they could produce no evidence. In October 1984, Indra Gandhi was assassinated by Sikhs. When her son Rajiv Gandhi became the Indian prime minister, he believed that Pakistan was behind such moves. By 1987 relations had deteriorated to the extent that war-like situation was created. But all of a sudden, General Zia-ul-Haq flew to India to watch a cricket match between Pakistan and India. There he met with Indian leaders including Rajiv Gandhi and the tension was released.

[Conclusion] Relations between India and Pakistan have been a series of failures. The 1965 and 1971 wars have taken the two countries too apart from each other. Kashmir is the topmost hurdle in mutual relations.