Kaschmir: Die Wurzeln des Konflikts | ARTE Hintergrund

Summary

The Kashmir conflict, a long-standing territorial dispute between India and Pakistan, dates back to the partition of British India in 1947. Over decades, the region has witnessed multiple wars, insurgencies, and political struggles, with both nations asserting claims over Kashmir. The situation escalated after India revoked Kashmir's semi-autonomous status in 2019, increasing military presence and suppressing local dissent. The April 2025 terror attack in Indian-administered Kashmir reignited tensions, further complicating peace efforts. Nationalist rhetoric, the potential for nuclear conflict, and disputes over the Indus River make the future uncertain, with the possibility of a broader war still looming.

Takeaways

• 😀 The conflict in Kashmir, particularly in the Indian-administered region, has been ongoing for decades and is rooted in the region's historical division after the 1947 partition of British India.
• 😀 The 22nd April 2025 attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, which killed 26 people, predominantly Indian tourists, escalates tensions between India and Pakistan, reigniting fears of war between the nuclear-armed neighbors.
• 😀 Kashmir has been the subject of multiple wars between India and Pakistan (1947, 1965, 1999) with both countries claiming the region, and its current division includes territories controlled by India, Pakistan, and China.
• 😀 The United Nations proposed a referendum in Kashmir to allow the region's people to choose between India and Pakistan, but it never took place, leaving Kashmir's political future unresolved.
• 😀 India accuses Pakistan of supporting terrorism in Kashmir, with particular reference to the militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), although Pakistan denies any active involvement in supporting these groups.
• 😀 The Indian-administered region of Kashmir has been heavily militarized since the late 1980s, with over 500,000 troops stationed there to suppress insurgencies and protests calling for independence or union with Pakistan.
• 😀 In 2019, India revoked the special autonomy of Jammu and Kashmir, downgrading the region's status to a Union Territory, reducing its local governance powers and increasing direct control from New Delhi.
• 😀 The political atmosphere in India has become increasingly nationalist, with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) adopting a Muslim-unfriendly stance and using Pakistan as a scapegoat for political gain.
• 😀 Kashmir's political and military tensions also affect relations between Pakistan and India on other fronts, such as water disputes. India has threatened to cut off Pakistan's water supply from the Indus River, which is crucial for Pakistan's agriculture.
• 😀 While both countries possess nuclear weapons, the risk of an actual nuclear conflict remains low due to the principle of deterrence. However, military escalation, such as airstrikes and bombardments, continues to be a real threat.
• 😀 Despite the volatile situation, both India and Pakistan seem reluctant to initiate full-scale war due to the catastrophic consequences, especially given Pakistan's current economic crisis and the complex geopolitical dynamics in the region.

Q & A

What event sparked the renewed tension between India and Pakistan in April 2025?

The tension was sparked by a terrorist attack on April 22, 2025, in Indian-administered Kashmir, which resulted in the deaths of 26 people, mostly Indian tourists. India immediately blamed Pakistan for the attack.

What is the historical origin of the Kashmir conflict?

The Kashmir conflict traces its origins to 1947, following the partition of British India into India and Pakistan. Kashmir, a princely state with a Muslim majority but a Hindu ruler, became a contested region after the Maharaja chose to accede to India, leading to the first war between India and Pakistan.

What role did the United Nations play in the Kashmir dispute after the first war?

The United Nations called for a referendum to allow Kashmiris to decide their future, whether to join India or Pakistan. However, the referendum never took place, and Kashmir remained divided between India and Pakistan.

How did the military presence in Kashmir evolve over time?

Kashmir has become one of the most militarized regions in the world. By 2019, after India revoked Kashmir's semi-autonomous status, the Indian government increased its military presence, deploying over 500,000 troops in a region with fewer than 7 million residents.

How has the political status of Kashmir changed since 2019?

In 2019, India revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, downgrading it to a Union Territory. This move reduced its autonomy and allowed for greater direct control from New Delhi, further intensifying tensions in the region.

What are the accusations India has made against Pakistan regarding the Kashmir insurgency?

India accuses Pakistan of supporting terrorist organizations in Kashmir, particularly claiming that the Resistance Front, which claimed responsibility for the April 2025 attack, is backed by a Pakistani-based organization, possibly linked to the Pakistani military intelligence.

How does Pakistan view the Kashmir issue, both domestically and internationally?

In Pakistan, Kashmir is a symbol of historical injustice, and it plays a central role in nationalistic rhetoric. The issue is used to unite the population, with the government portraying it as a fight against Indian aggression. Kashmir is also a critical issue in Pakistan's foreign policy and its relations with India.

What is the significance of the Indus Water Treaty between India and Pakistan?

The Indus Water Treaty, signed in 1960, regulates the use of water from the Indus River, which flows through both India and Pakistan. The treaty is crucial for both countries' agricultural and industrial sectors, especially in Pakistan, where 90% of agriculture relies on irrigation from the Indus River.

How has the water dispute between India and Pakistan escalated in recent years?

Tensions have risen over the construction of dams by India in Kashmir. India seeks to build more dams in its part of Kashmir, which would affect the water flow to Pakistan, exacerbating an already strained relationship and potentially threatening Pakistan's water supply.

What are the risks of a nuclear conflict between India and Pakistan over Kashmir?

Both India and Pakistan possess nuclear weapons, and while the use of these weapons is unlikely due to the principle of deterrence, the constant tensions, including the threat of water scarcity and ongoing military skirmishes, increase the risk of escalation. However, neither side seems eager to engage in a full-scale war, especially given the catastrophic consequences of nuclear warfare.