Jammu and Kashmir

Introduction
Jammu and Kashmir, a region filled with turmoil, stands on the edge of war between India and
Pakistan. Through a very violent and war torn history, three nations lay claim on the lands of Jammu and
Kashmir, including Pakistan, India, and the newest addition, China. Pinched between Xinjiang, Punjab,
and Pakistan, the region has faced instability, violence, and poverty. This 85,802 square mile region is
home to more than 12 million Hindus, Muslims, and Buddhists, all trying to survive the debilitating civil
and societal splits that tear the region apart. Neither India, nor Pakistan, the two major involved nations,
have attempted any form of arms demilitarization in the region. It is the task of the United Nations to aid
the demilitarization of the region and push for stability and a brighter future for the people and region as
a whole.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jammu_and_Kashmir

History
During the British occupation of India many princely states were formed, de facto states which
the British Paramountcy controlled. Maharaja Hari Singh became the ruler of the princely state of
Jammu and Kashmir in 1925, and continued on to be the leader of the region until the independence of
India and thus, Pakistan in 1947. The British government announced that the princely states were to no
longer exist and that these regions had the choice to meld with a surrounding nation or to remain
independent. The issue with remaining independent is that these princely regions were solely dependent
on the British government and had no emplacements of government, economics, or army. Therefore, the
state may not be able to hold its own against its land hungry neighbors. Jammu and Kashmir have a

much higher population of Muslims than any other religion, 77%. Therefore, it would seem logical that
the people would choose to align with the predominantly Muslim Pakistan. However, the political
movement of Kashmir wanted a secular nation, thus, Kashmir would most likely align with India.
Furthermore, the region of Jammu is mainly Hindu, thus furthering a split between the people. Neither
answer seemed beneficial, and as such the region remained independent.
In October 1947, the nation of Pakistan invaded Jammu and Kashmir, and the Maharaja appealed
for Indian assistance. India agreed on the terms that the people of Jammu and Kashmir would later
decide by themselves which nation they choose to be aligned with. The result was the Indo-Pakistani
War of 1947 which lasted until 1948, when the United Nations Security Council drew a resolution,
declaring the cessation of combat and the withdrawal of both Indian and Pakistani forces. To this day no
resolution has been passed that allows the two nations (and now China) to agree on the land claims on
Jammu and Kashmir. Nor have there been any actions of demilitarization in the region.
Political and Strategic Significance
The three large claims to the region and the religious tension built up in the politics behind it
have made it so the international community would have to go about their statement about the region
carefully. For in 1963 with the Sino-Pakistan Agreement passed where chin would be given a small
claim if they would back Pakistans full claim and be willing to protect it. This makes it so parts of
Pakistani claims to the region would be given to the Chinese. The region also has many deposits of
fossil fuels such as natural gas and oil as well as many other minerals makes it a great asset to have for
the rapidly growing economy of all the nations in the area.
But the main conflict on an international scale scale seems be predominantly a religious conflict.
Having many Muslim countries only recognizing the claim of Pakistan and with other countries only
backing India's claim however many don't do this for they value their trade with china to much to take
any stand. Another religious group however is very present in the region nearly surpassing the number
of Hindus in the region and that is the large land portion with a relatively small population has a
majority Buddhist population and with a large number of ethnic Tibetans in this region. Furthermore,
this region borders India Punjabi region which is home to the majority Sikh population making the
numbers of Sikh in this region out of the ordinary in terms of South Asia. These claims and religious
tension in the region mean for the international community

Conflict
The first conflict over the region arose in the first Indo-Pakistani War of 1947. When the
Pakistani government invaded the region of Kashmir then ruled by an independent, Hindu led
government. After which, this government of the region signed over its rights to India to become a semiautonomous region, making it so that the Indian army would have to go in and secure their new territory.
This in turn left the region divided into two regions with relatively the same land mass controlled by the
Indian and Pakistani governments respectively with a smaller portion ceded to China from the Pakistani
claim. Various border Crossing military exercises and skirmishes have occurred and movements of
radical terrorist possibly funded by or ignored by Pakistan in order to fight against India's claim in
promote Islam in the region. This is frowned upon by China however so Pakistan denounces all claims
of supporting terrorists in the region. Many citizens of India's claim however wish to part of Pakistan
due to their religious differences with their Indian rulers this has also created radical terrorism buy these
living in the Indian claim. This coupled with the harsh military type occupation of many areas in the
region. Funding may also come from other Sunni majority countries such as Saudi Arabia as they wish
to the spread of Islam to this region. And due to the large amounts of conflict this has left the region in a
state of poverty despite the vast amount of natural resources found there. Your goal as the United
Nations is to come up with a peaceful solution for the people of the region in which both parties can
agree on and which economic development could happen increasing the quality of life for the
inhabitants of the region.

Questions to consider
How does the United Nations deal with a split group as seen in the regions of Jammu and Kashmir?
Would a split between the two parties be possible or beneficial?
How do the nations involved prevent more bloodshed?
Which nations have the rightful claim on the region?
How do the countries involved deal with arguments over claims of land?
What role does the UN play in overseeing a peaceful transition in the region?
Resources
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Who-changed-the-face-of-47-war/articleshow/1200682.cms
http://www.economist.com/blogs/dailychart/2011/05/indian_pakistani_and_chinese_border_disputes
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-11693674
http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/missions/past/unipombackgr.html
http://www.jammu-kashmir.com/documents/un13th.html
http://tribune.com.pk/story/331916/does-india-have-a-case-in-kashmir/
https://www.britannica.com/place/Kashmir-region-Indian-subcontinent