Security Council Briefing Paper: Kashmir

Hope College Model United Nations 2011

Relations between India and Pakistan since the 1947 partition have often been strained. One of the major reasons for this is the lingering situation in the Indian province of Kashmir, which is situated on the border between the countries and has long been claimed by both. Currently, Kashmir is joined with India, and further attempts by the Pakistani government to conquer the area in 1949 and 1965 led to U.N. involvement and a massive buildup of soldiers from both countries along the temporary border, known as the Line of Control. Hostilities occasionally reignite between the two powers, with the last shooting incidents occurring in 1999. Insurgency gripped the region until a 2003 cease-fire between India and Pakistan along the Line of Control put an end to the fighting. The intervening years saw attempts by both sides to diffuse the situation by fostering cross-border initiatives. Despite the thaw of insurgent activity, however, India neglected to remove its security forces from the region, and Kashmir remains a largely policed state.

Indian-Pakistani relations began to deteriorate once more after the Mumbai bombings of 2008, which India claimed to be a Pakistani-generated plot, and the real obstacle to peace in the region is now the people themselves. Frustrated Kashmiris have begun to clash with security forces on a fairly regular basis. Since the shooting of a teenager in June, a near constant state of unrest has gripped the area and several civilians have been killed. The threat of nuclear escalation effectively hinders the actions the two militaries can take. Instead, India has accused Pakistan of funding insurgency in the area. A United Nations observer group is currently in the area, but a larger presence may be required to end the dispute. Tensions in the region are running high, and, although the prospect of war seems distant, the situation needs to be addressed before it spirals further out of control.

The Counsel is being asked to discuss and consider permanent and effective solutions that will solve the territorial crisis Kashmir faces. Understandings should be reached that satisfy both India and Pakistan, and peaceful agreement must be sought so that innocent citizens are not victims of government fighting. Please consider state sovereignty and be sensitive to religious differences when considering actions.

Sources:

BBC: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-11333788

International Relations and Security Network, Kashmir: http://www.isn.ethz.ch/isn/Find- Information/Regions/Keyword-Object/?fecvnodeid=118621&groupot593=0c54e3b3-1e9c-be1e-2c24- a6a8c7060233&dom=1&fecvid=33&ots591=0c54e3b3-1e9c-be1e-2c24- a6a8c7060233&lng=en&v33=118626&click570=118626

Asia Peace: http://www.asiapeace.org/acha/kashmir111.htm

Kashmir Watch: http://www.kashmirwatch.org/ Questions:

1. How should the issue of state sovereignty be addressed with regard to negotiations and entitlement between India and Pakistan and the area of Kashmir?

2. Should Kashmir be its own state? Discuss implications of the creation of a new state and the reactions that India and Pakistan may have. Who would deal with those reactions and how would they be handled?

3. Assuming that Kashmir is not granted independence, what solutions could solve the territorial crisis? What kind of treaties and agreements could be reached that would appease both India and Pakistan?

4. Discuss the impact the conflict over Kashmir has on civilians. What action, if any, should be taken to protect their safety? Should these actions be implemented by the government, nongovernmental organizations, grassroots organizations, etc.?