Kashmir is a matter of conflict between India and Pakistan
before independence. It has lead to wars between these countries. They have fought three wars for Kashmir,
which includes the wars of 1947, 1965 & 1999. India is claiming the entire
state of Jammu and Kashmir including Kashmir valley, Ladakh and most of Jammu.
Pakistan has approx. 37% of Kashmir, known as ‘Azad Kashmir’.
In 1947, British rule in India ended with creation of a new
country, Pakistan (earlier, part of India). All the states were free to choose either
to join India or Pakistan or to remain independent. At that time, Jammu and
Kashmir had majority of Muslim population ruled by Hindu King, Maharaja Hari Singh.
He chose to join India. Muhammad Ali Jinnah, leader of the newly created
Pakistan wanted Kashmir as it was Muslim dominated. The king did not decide
anything for months and Pakistan sent a troop of raiders to force the king to
join. The king fled to India and agreed to join India in return for protecting
Kashmir from Pakistanis. Soon, India & Pakistan were involved in the war in
1947 & Pakistanis were pushed back.
Kashmir belongs to India as the last king had signed the
instrument of accession to join India. Its history and culture is similar to
the India.
Pakistanis has encouraged separatists for 5 decades and now,
China has involved to be in aid of Pakistan.
Essentially, it is a two party conflict (between India &
Pakistan) where external parties are quite interested.
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