The History of India and Pakistan's Not-So-Friendly Relationship

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The India-Pakistan rivalry is a conflict as old as the two nations themselves—dating back to the era of British colonialism. In 1947, the British Empire, exhausted and suffering economic stresses from the aftermath of World War II, retreated from South Asia with the decision to partition the territories into states. The Indian National Congress, supporter of Indian-nationalism, and the Muslim League, supporter of Muslim-nationalism, were instructed to establish a constitutional framework for post-colonial India by the full withdrawal of British forces in 1947.

When an agreement was not reached by the deadline, British Viceroy Louis Mountbat-ten devised a plan that would establish territory based on population: areas with a Muslim-majority would be Pakistan and areas with Hindu-majority would be India. The 565 princely states in South Asia were also involved in the partition, and the rulers were given the power to decide which country they wanted to join.

The plan sparked immediate outcry. Violence and bloodshed erupted between Hindus, Sikhs, and Muslims, resulting in 500,000 to 1 million casualties. Conflict also centered around Kashmir and Hyderabad, a Hindu-led princely state with a Muslim majority. Pakistani tribal forces, fearful that Prince Maharajah of Kashmir and Hyderabad would accede the state to India, attacked and occupied the princely state in what became known as the First Kashmir War. In response, Maharajah effectively handed Kashmir over to India by signing the Instrument of Accession.

The United Nations was forced to mitigate the tensions between India and Pakistan following the event. In 1948, the Line of Control divided Kashmir into territories controlled by Pakistan and India.

Since then, India and Pakistan have engaged in three other wars--the Indo-Pakistani Wars of 1965, 1971, and 1999. Kashmir remains an area of contention with frequent skirmishes resulting in the deaths of Pakistani and Indian soldiers that have only fueled the animosity. The nuclear arms race between the two states is a major cause for concern in the international community, which will forever be kept on its toes by the volatile and increasingly serious relationship between India and Pakistan.