Next Stop: Peace? [2012 Archive]

The conflict between India and Pakistan over the region of Kashmir is becoming increasingly violent.  As the Security Council looks for ways to intervene in order to bring peace, international observers remain skeptical.

The Indian subcontinent achieved its independence in 1947.  However, shortly after the end of British rule, differences between the Hindu and Muslim populations necessitated splitting the territory into two different states: India and Pakistan.  The region of Kashmir, located between the two newborn nations, was a disputed territory and therefore both governments agreed that Kashmir would remain a free state until its government and its people decided which nation they wanted to join.

During the summer of 1947 Maharaja rule over Kashmir became unpopular because of heavy taxation and alleged persecution of the Muslim population.  Popular unrest with the government policies reached a peak when the Maharaja decided that the region of Kashmir would join India, despite the majority Muslim population.  Unprecedented uprisings took place in several parts of Kashmir, eventually leading to the intervention of both Indian and Pakistani forces.  The first of many wars in the region of Kashmir had just begun.

Delegates of the Historical Security Council (1947) have been simulating the crisis created post-intervention of India and Pakistan in the region of Kashmir in October of 1947.  Vicki Nee, the committee’s Rapporteur, told The Conference Chronicle that delegates were very well informed and had responded excellently to the different crises proposed by the Chair, Anthony Marinaccio.

Positions regarding what should be done in Kashmir differ.  However, many nations have collaborated with the United States and the Soviet Union to to develop a plan to bring peace to the region.

The Soviet Union advocated vigorously for a peacekeeping operation to be deployed in the region as soon as possible and the delegation and its allies have publicly supported Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah as head of an emergency state in Kashmir.  Also, the USSR delegate emphasized to The Conference Chronicle that the first priority of the Security Council should be to reduce the tension between India and Pakistan.

On the other hand, while the United States also calls for peace and emphasizes the need for a ceasefire in the region the delegation highlighted the importance of letting the Kashmiri people decide which nation they prefer to join.  The delegation stated “Let them vote, and we will support their decision” and emphasized that the citizens of the region should determine their own fate.

Whatever disagreements the Security Council has over this complex issue, a resolution must be passed quickly to avoid catastrophe in the region.