Andrew Haanpaa
Tensions between India and Pakistan are long-standing, complex, and deeply rooted in regional dynamics. Since their independence from British colonial rule in 1947, the two nations have fought several short wars, the most recent being the Kargil War in 1999. Despite decades of uneasy peace, high tensions persist, punctuated by frequent cross-border skirmishes and military escalations, such as the 2019 Balakot airstrikes and the events unfolding today. As the United States strengthens its strategic partnership with India, it is vital for U.S. policymakers and strategists to understand the nature of this conflict and its implications for regional stability. India-Pakistan relations are shaped primarily by domestic political pressures, amplified by geographical proximity, and defined by a mutual yet fragile restraint. This article explores these three key dynamics in detail.
Historical Background
The roots of the India-Pakistan conflict lie in the partition of British India in 1947. The creation of India and Pakistan as separate nations resulted in the displacement of approximately 12 million people and widespread communal violence. One of the most contentious issues arising from partition was the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir. Despite its Muslim-majority population, the ruler of Kashmir acceded to India, igniting the first India-Pakistan war and establishing Kashmir as the central issue in bilateral disputes.
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