India-Pakistan Conflict

United Nations was founded in 1945, with the purpose of bringing all nations of the world together to strive for peace and progress, based on the ethics of justice, human dignity and the welfare of all people. The part of the U.N. that is dedicated to investigating disputes between countries and recommending resolutions to these disputes is called the Security Council. One such event needing supreme supervision of the Security Council is the India-Pakistan clash over Kashmir. The bloodshed between these two countries has gone on much to long. It could be argued that interference from the U.N. may only increase tensions, however, involvement of the U.N., as in past similar cases, will help to find long-term solutions and be a positive step towards worldwide peace. The United Nations Security Council should intervene in Kashmir for peace by using a four-point strategy.

In 1947 India and Pakistan became different states. This led to one of the world’s most violent conflicts: who should control Kashmir. Civil societies in both nations are suffering from constant terrorist attacks and legitimized military dictatorships. The first clash (1947-1948) was ended by U.N. mediation quickly. Kashmir joined the Republic of India but Pakistan still believed the majority Muslim nation belonged to them rightfully. The United Nations mediation didn’t last forever, as there was a second clash in 1965 when Pakistan unsuccessfully tried to take the state by force. This got other nations such as the United States and the Soviet Union involved. Soon India called on the U.N. to aid once again and the

Security Council passed resolution 211. Currently fighting has once again picked up between the nations showing a more permanent resolution is still needed.

When the BJP formed the federal government in 1998, it moved swiftly to satisfy the demand of India’s national security establishment to test nuclear weapons. Pakistan responded with its own nuclear tests. When the Indian and Pakistani leaders began negotiations in 1999, Pakistan’s Prime Minister thanked his Indian counterpart for conducting the nuclear tests, for it had provided Pakistan the pretext to come out of the nuclear closet.¹

Firstly, compliance of both nations is needed along with the will to achieve peace, for a good foundation to start off on. For the first step in the process the two nations will have a meeting recognizing each other’s views as well as beginning a cease-fire. With a cease fire in place, attacks and retaliations and be stopped, the first step on the way to peace. This would lead to fewer tensions, which in turn would lead to more cooperation from each nation. The Secretary-General is needed to give the necessary assistance and supervision of the cease-fire. A withdraw of troops from the area of hostility is a strong way to support the truce and ensure it is not broken. Once the first step has been accomplished with complete certainty the second point in the strategy should be implemented immediately.