Contents

Pakistan India Relations......................................................................................................1

1. Introduction......................................................................................................................1
2. History of Pak-India Relations........................................................................................1
3. Major irritants between Pak-India relations.....................................................................3
1. Kashmir issue............................................................................................................3
2. Siachen Glacier......................................................................................................3
3. Sir Creek.................................................................................................................3
4. Cross border terrorism............................................................................................3
5. Water issue.............................................................................................................4
6. Trust deficit............................................................................................................4
7. Arms race...............................................................................................................4
8. Foreign factors.......................................................................................................4
9. Stalled talks............................................................................................................4
10. Inadvertent crossers................................................................................................4
4. How to improve the relations..........................................................................................4
5. Conclusion.......................................................................................................................5

Pakistan India Relations

1. Introduction
Pakistan India relations have always been characterized by rivalry and suspicions ever
since inception of both the countries. Although various steps have been taken to
normalize the relations, yet all such efforts remained unfruitful because of certain core
and unresolved issues like Kashmir dispute. Such deteriorated relations always remained
a threat for both the countries and caused huge loss across the border. World is moving
towards regionalism, therefore, it is the need of time that both the countries should
resolved their issues and have good relations with each other.
2. History of Pak-India Relations
Pak-India relations remained strained since 1947. Both the countries had fought three
wars (1948, 1965, and 1971), two mini-wars (1965 Rann of Kutch and 1999 Kargil) and
two near-wars (2001 and 2002). Strained relations also resulted in Dhaka Debacle when
half of the Pakistan was separated.
History can be discussed as:
 At inception, mass migration of about 10 million humans and start of communal riots
tensed the relations between India and Pak.
 In 1947, Hari Singh, Maharaja of Kashmir handed over Kashmir to India in spite of it
being a Muslim majority area. This resulted in war in 1948 between two countries. India

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 took the matter to UN. Ultimately, cease-fire was declared and it was decided to conduct
a plebiscite in Kashmir.
 In 1950, Liaquat-Nehru Pact was signed for the protection of minorities in Pakistan and
India.
 In 1954 and 1955, relations became tensed between Pak and India when Pak joined
SEATO in 1954 and CENTO in 1955.
 In 1960, Indus Waters Treaty 1960 was signed by Pak (Ayub Khan) and India (Nehru).
As per this treaty, Pakistan shall have right on the waters if western rivers (The Indus,
The Jehlum, and The Chenab) and India shall have right on the waters of eastern rivers
(The Sutlej, The Beas, and The Ravi).
 In 1962-63, in the backdrop of Sino-Indian War 1962, six inconclusive rounds of talks
were held on Kashmir issue between foreign ministers ZA Bhutto and Sardar Swaran
Singh.
 In 1965, Pak-India fought their second war for seventeen days (17).
 In 1966, Tashkent Pact was signed by Ayub Khan and Lal Bahaudur Shastri to create
good neighboring relations and to solve the disputes through peaceful means, to bring the
armed personnel to the positions they held prior to 5 August, 1965. They also made other
promises like non-interference in internal affairs, discouragement of propaganda against
other country, restoration of talks for normalizing relations, and promotion of trade,
communications and cultural exchanges.
 In 1971, Pak-India fought their third war for fourteen days (14).
 In 1972, Simla Accord was signed by ZA Bhutto and Indira Gandhi to establish peace, to
settle their differences by peaceful means, to create harmonious relations (peaceful co-
existence, respect for each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, non-interference in
internal matters) and to promote communications and trade for normalizing relations.
 In 1974, relations became tensed when India made her first successful Nuclear Tests
names Smiling Budha.
 In 1976, Smjhota Express train service was started between Lahore and Amritsar.
 In 1984, Indian army secretly occupied Siachien Glacier creating new issue in Pak-India
relations.
 In 1985, Zia Ul Haq and Rajiv Ghandi signed agreement not to attack each other’s
nuclear installations.
 In 1998, relations became strained when India and Pakistan both went nuclear.
 In 1999, at the inauguration of Bus service between New Delhi and Lahore, Lahore
Declaration was signed by Atal Behari Vajpai and Nawaz Sharif to bring peace and
stability between the countries and to bring progress and prosperity for their people. It
was decided to discuss a total of eight (8) issues, including Kashmir, in “Composite

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 Dialogue”. Also promises were made to create harmonious relations, to avoid conflicts,
to implement Simla Accord, and to undertake CBMs.
 In 1999, Kargil Conflict strained the relations between India and Pakistan. Ultimately,
Mujahdeen were withdrawn from the Kargil Heights.
 In 2001, terror attack on Indian parliament and in 2002 terror attack on Indian military
camp also deteriorated the relations between two countries.
 In 2007, Smjhota Express train was bombed near Panipat in which 68 people were killed.
Majority were Pakistanis.
 In 2008, Mumbai attacks also deteriorated the relations because India blamed that these
attacks were funded by ISI (Pak).
 Currently, relations are deteriorated because of LOC tension, harsh statements by Indian
ministers, India’s involvement in Balochistan, FATA, and Karachi, and strong India-
Afghan and India-US ties. It is being indicated that RAW has connections with MQM.
3. Major irritants between Pak-India relations
Following have been the major irritants between Pak-India relations:
1. Kashmir issue
In 1947, Hari Singht, Mahraja of Kashmir, signed instrument of accession and handed
over the Muslim majority area to India and India occupied Kashmir. Pak and India have
fought war of 1948, 1965, 1971 on Kashmir issue. Kashmir issue is the major irritant in
the relation between Pak and India.
2. Siachen Glacier
Siachen is 71 Km long and the world’s highest battleground. India claims Siachen glacier
too along with Kashmir. In 1984, India sent its troops to occupy Siachen glacier. Since
then, Siachen glacier is also an irritant between Pak and India.
3. Sir Creek
The Sir Creek is a 96 Km strip of water disputed between Indian state of Gujarat and
Sindh province of Pakistan in the Rann of Kutch marshlands. Pakistan lays claim to the
entire creek as per paras 9 and 10 of the Bombay Government Resolution of 1914 signed
between the then Government of Sindh and Rao Maharaj of Kutch.
4. Cross border terrorism
Pak and India both blame each other for cross-border terrorism. India blames Pakistan for
attacks on Indian Parliament 2001, military camp in Jammu 2002, Mumbai attacks in
2008. While Pakistan blames India for training and funding s terrorism in FATA,
Balochistan and Karachi.

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5. Water issue
The Indus Waters Treaty 1960 was signed between Pakistan and India. Waters of Eastern
Rivers (Satluj, Beas, Ravi) were allocated to India and Western Rivers (Indus, Jhelum,
Chenab) were allocated to Pakistan. Pakistan claims that India is stealing its river waters
of Chenab upstream in Indian-administered Kashmir. Water issue is also a serious irritant
in Pak-India relations.
6. Trust deficit
Trust deficit due to enemy image, false hopes and broken promises is also an irritant
between Pak-India relations. Harsh statements of ministers also lead to trust deficit.
7. Arms race
Both the countries are also racing for arms like long-range missiles, nuclear warheads,
and submarines to name a few. Arms race is also an irritant in maintain good relations
between Pak and India.
8. Foreign factors
India has established its consulates on Pak-Afghan border and is investing heavily in
Afghanistan and is trying to create second front for Pakistan. US is supporting India for
permanent seat on the UN and joining of NSGs. US also concluded civil nuclear deal
with India. Australia decided to sell uranium to India. Russia also provides arms to India.
All these are sources of concern for Pakistan.
9. Stalled talks
Stalled talks also contribute to lack of good relations. India states cross-border terrorism
as core issue while Pakistan states Kashmir as core issue which led to stalled talks
between Pak and India.
10. Inadvertent crossers
Inadvertent crossers are often considered as spy and blame game starts which is also an
irritant in Pak-India relations.
4. How to improve the relations
1. Kashmir, Siachin, and water issues should be resolved through peaceful means. India and
Pakistan both are independent nuclear states. Both should respect each other’s
sentiments. International community can also play the role of mediator in this regard.
2. Stalled talks should be resumed.
3. Back-channel diplomacy may be revived.
4. People-to-people contact (scholars, sportsmen, poets, media persons) should be
encouraged.
5. CBMs (no blame game, keeping promises) be taken to overcome trust deficit.
6. Trade and economic relations should be encouraged.
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7. Energy cooperation (TAPI) should be encouraged.
8. Both should say ‘No’ to hostile propaganda against each other.
9. Both should say ‘No’ to follow arms race.
10. Both countries should work together to counter cross-border terrorism. Intelligent sharing
in this regard should be encouraged.
11. Both the countries should respect each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty and
peaceful co-existence.
12. Both the countries should not interfere into internal affairs of each other.
13. Both should focus on the soc-eco-pol development of their people.
5. Conclusion
Although relations between Pak and India have been tensed, yet now it is the need of
time that Pakistan and India must develop good relations with each other in order to meet
internal challenges and NTSTs being faced by both the countries. Both are nuclear states
so they should not enter into war. Also they should not follow arms race and hostile
propaganda. Only good relation between two countries can ensure peace, stability and
growth of the region. Effective step should be taken to overcome the irritants in the
relation between two countries so as to put them and the region on the way of
development.

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