Changes

Since partition, relations between Pakistan and India have been characterized by rivalry and suspicion. Although many issues divide the two countries, the most sensitive one since independence has been the status of Kashmir.  

Since partition, relations between Pakistan and India have been characterized by rivalry and suspicion. Although many issues divide the two countries, the most sensitive one since independence has been the status of Kashmir.  

At the time of partition, the princely state of Kashmir, though ruled by a Hindu Maharajah, had a significant Muslim population (along with large amounts of Buddhists and Hindus). When the Maharajah hesitated in acceding to either Pakistan or India in 1947, some of his Muslim subjects, later aided by tribesmen from Pakistan, revolted in favor of joining Pakistan. In exchange for military assistance in containing the revolt, the Kashmiri ruler offered his allegiance to India. Indian troops defended the eastern portion of Kashmir, including its capital, Srinagar, while the western part became occupied by Pakistan.  

At the time of partition, the princely state of Kashmir, though ruled by a Hindu Maharajah, had a significant Muslim population (along with large amounts of Buddhists and Hindus). When the Maharajah hesitated in acceding to either Pakistan or India in 1947, tribesmen from Pakistan invaded the Kashmir region in an attempt to forcibly annex the region to Pakistan. In exchange for military assistance in containing the revolt, the Kashmiri ruler offered his allegiance to India. Indian troops defended the eastern portion of Kashmir, including its capital, Srinagar, while the western part became occupied by Pakistan.  

India submitted this dispute to the United Nations on January 1, 1948. One year later, the UN arranged a cease-fire along a line dividing Kashmir but leaving the northern end of the line not demarcated and the Vale of Kashmir (with the majority of the population) under Indian control. India and Pakistan agreed to a resolution that called for a UN-supervised plebiscite to determine the state's future This plebiscite has not occurred because the main precondition, the withdrawal of both nations’ forces from Kashmir, has failed to take place.  

India submitted this dispute to the United Nations on January 1, 1948. One year later, the UN arranged a cease-fire along a line dividing Kashmir but leaving the northern end of the line not demarcated and the Vale of Kashmir (with the majority of the population) under Indian control. India and Pakistan agreed to a resolution that called for a UN-supervised plebiscite to determine the state's future This plebiscite has not occurred because the main precondition, the withdrawal of both nations’ forces from Kashmir, has failed to take place.