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Yet, ever since independence, relations between grave threat to India’s security. Restraint, under-
the two countries are marked by hostilities. standing and cooperation are needed for the
The Kashmir Issue establishment of lasting peace in this region.
The Kashmir problem had begun from 1947, the
year of our independence. The Mountbatten
Plan had given the Indians States the option of
joining either India or Pakistan or remaining
independent. When the British left India,
Pakistan attacked Kashmir and occupied a part
of the Kashmir Valley.
The Maharaja of Kashmir decided to join India
and signed the instrument of accession. The
Indian army moved into Kashmir and pushed
back the invaders. After UN intervention, North-
West Kashmir was controlled by Pakistan and the Kargil War
rest of the state was placed under Indian control. India and Bangladesh
The Indo-Pak War (1965) In 1971, a civil war broke out between the
In August 1965, Pakistan made another attempt people of East Pakistan and West Pakistan. India
to seize Kashmir. A war started. After UN inter- helped East Pakistan in her war of independence
vention, a truce was declared and an agreement against West Pakistan. In 1971, East Pakistan
(the Tashkent Agreement) was signed in 1966. became independent with India’s support. A new
But, cordiality and friendship were not estab- nation, Bangladesh, was born under Mujibur
lished. Rehman.
The Indo-Pak War (1971) Subsequently, India helped Bangladesh to set her
Hostilities between India and Pakistan again economy on a sound footing by giving her loans
started in 1971 when India helped Bangladesh to and technical assistance. She also sent relief to
become independent. By the Simla Agreement Bangladesh during natural calamities like flood
(1972), Prime Minister Indira Gandhi of India and drought. Relations with Bangladesh deterio-
and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto of Pakistan agreed to rated over the sharing of the water of the River
settle all problems peacefully. However, relations Ganges and the refugee problem. In 1990, the
between India and Pakistan continue to remain two countries entered into an arrangement
strained. covering various aspects of trade and sharing of
Kargil War (1999) water. A 30-year treaty has been signed between
the two countries over the sharing of the water of
War again broke out between the two countries
the Ganges (1996).
when Pakistan occupied portions of Indian
Territory in the Kargil area. India defeated India and Sri Lanka
Pakistan. Relations between India and Pakistan India has cultural, historical and religious ties
further worsened because of Pakistan’s involve- with Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka is facing a civil war in
ment in terrorist activities in various parts of her northern provinces. A predominantly Tamil
India, especially in the Punjab and Kashmir. This Hindu population of northern Sri Lanka started a
cross-border terrorism instigated by Pakistan is a
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