Question

Describe the india-pakistan relationship during the last decade

Answer 1

Relations between India and Pakistan have been complex and largely hostile due to a number of historical and political events. Relations between the two states have been defined by the violent partition of British Indiain 1947, the Kashmir conflict and the numerous military conflicts fought between the two nations. Consequently, their relationship has been plagued by hostility and suspicion. Northern India and Pakistan somewhat overlap in areas of certain demographics, shared lingua francas (mainlyPunjabi and Hindustani) and shared cuisines inherited from the Mughal Empire.

India–Pakistan relations
Pakistan
IndiaDiplomatic MissionHigh Commission of Pakistan, New DelhiHigh Commission of India, IslamabadEnvoyPakistan High Commissioner
Sohail MahmoodIndian High Commissioner
Gautam Bambawale

After the dissolution of the British Raj in 1947, two new sovereign nations were formed—theDominion of India and the Dominion of Pakistan. The subsequent partition of the former British India displaced up to 12.5 million people, with estimates of loss of life varying from several hundred thousand to 1 million.[1] India emerged as a secular nationwith a Hindu majority population and a largeMuslim minority, while Pakistan emerged also as a secular nation with an overwhelmingMuslim majority population; later becoming an Islamic republic[2] although its constitution guarantees freedom of religion to people of all faiths.[3]

Soon after their independence, India and Pakistan established diplomatic relations but the violent partition and numerous territorial claims would overshadow their relationship. Since their Independence, the two countries have fought three major wars, one undeclared war and have been involved in numerous armed skirmishes and military standoffs. TheKashmir conflict is the main centre-point of all of these conflicts with the exception of theIndo-Pakistan War of 1971 and Bangladesh Liberation War, which resulted in the secession of East Pakistan (nowBangladesh).

There have been numerous attempts to improve the relationship—notably, the Shimla summit, the Agra summit and the Lahore summit. Since the early 1980s, relations between the two nations soured particularly after the Siachen conflict, the intensification of Kashmir insurgency in 1989, Indian andPakistani nuclear tests in 1998 and the 1999Kargil war. Certain confidence-building measures — such as the 2003 ceasefire agreement and the Delhi–Lahore Bus service – were successful in de-escalating tensions. However, these efforts have been impeded by periodic terrorist attacks. The 2001 Indian Parliament attack almost brought the two nations to the brink of a nuclear war. The2007 Samjhauta Express bombings, which killed 68 civilians (most of whom were Pakistani), was also a crucial point in relations. Additionally, the 2008 Mumbai attacks carried out by Pakistani militants[4]resulted in a severe blow to the ongoing India-Pakistan peace talks.