The Indian political map which we have seen n number of times since our childhood sadly does not represent the actual region that is under the control of our country. In the northern frontier, we have conflicts with our arch-rival Pakistan, China, and Nepal. The areas which are under conflict between India and Pakistan are in the erst-while combined state of J&K, now divided into union territories Ladakh and Kashmir. The western stretch of the rest while J&K from Gilgit ( which was ceded to China by Pakistan in 1963), the Baltistan region, and the POK (Pakistan occupied Kashmir) are under the administrative control of Pakistan. Though Pakistan claims that the conflicted region enjoys the autonomy of power, it is an open secret about who is at the helm of affairs.
On Nov 1, which is celebrated as Independence Day in the conflicted region Pakistan granted "Provisional provincial status" to the conflicted region which effectively makes way for a legislative power and structure that makes Pakistan's claim much stronger as the region becomes the country's 5th province.
Let us dive in and try to find out the root of this conflict and in the end, I will express my Vishleshan and I also request you to have your say.
The British Government sold the territory along with the rest of J&K to the Dogra Ruler of Jammu Gulabsingh after he defeated the Sikh army in 1846, but retained control after taking lease from the Maharaja.
Gilgit was leased to the British by Raja Hari Singh in 1935, but the British returned the area in 1947 during the India-Pakistan partition.
During the Independence of India, there were many rulers who ruled in the country, they were given a choice of Joining India or Pakistan or remain independent. All the rulers agreed to this condition and the Muslim rulers joined Pakistan, the Hindu-ruled majorities joined Pakistan but three rulers the King of Junagarh, the Nizam of Hyderabad, and Raja Hari Singh decided to stay independent.
After the Partition, the tribal invaders from Pakistan invaded the J&K and started inflicting the Muslim-majority regions to revolt against Hari Singh. Succumbing to this pressure Raja Hari Singh acceded the entire J&K which he ruled to the Indian Government. Then, the Indian Govt sent the army to the valley to drive away tribal invaders from the valley. The forces sent the invaders to the point of today's conflicted regions when the Indian Govt approached the United Nations and resolutions were pushed in the UNSC which gave a few guidelines vowing to which the Pak Govt shied away from officially accepting the territory as its land but unofficially enjoys power. on the other hand, India says the G-B region and POK belong to her as Raja Hari Singh acceded the entire J&K which was ruled by him.
For India, the Gilgit-Baltistan region is of strategic importance as the CPEC ( China-Pakistan economic corridor) which connects Xinjiang province in China to Gwadar Port, Balochistan in Pakistan via the Khunjerab Pass. If this plan moves forward then it becomes very difficult for India to reclaim its territory.
India needs to handle this situation carefully as it is facing trouble with both its neighbors in China and Pakistan. India needs to put Pakistan under pressure and expose its plans in the UN. According to my Vishleshan, the conflicted region rightfully belongs to India and it should push for a quick solution as Pakistan is speeding up and firming its stance on the disputed region.
Do you think this Indian Govt will be able to win its territory? I am optimistic about that as our Govt has time and again tried its best to give a befitting reply and is firm on its stand is not at all intimidated by its rivals. But, they have to multiply their efforts.
Do have your say in the comments below:
by
Abhishek Reddy
Check out our blog on the India-China conflict and India-Nepal conflict
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