Notes Elements of Conflict and Cooperation in the Indo-Pak Relations

Abstract

There have been conflicts in South Asia since the birth of India and Pakistan in August 1947. The genesis of these conflicts can be divided into two parts: the incomplete partition (the incomplete delineation of the boundaries between the two nations, including the Kashmir Issue) and the philosophical divide (difference of perceptions, beliefs and practices). Both the countries assert the need for their masses to live separately and are not ready to renounce their multiethnic, multi-cultural and multireligious identity. The first of these conflicts is amenable to a technical solution, while the second can only resolve itself culturally, socially and perhaps economically. Since the latter is unlikely to disappear in a short time, it would be good for both the countries to consider the utility of period of confidence-building measures as a means to lower the intensity of conflict. Although, Indo-Pak wars have been fought without considerable restraint, civilian targets have not been spared, casualties have not been limited and prisoners of wars have not been well treated, Yet the situation between India and Pakistan is not one of unrelenting hostility.1 Both sides have successfully negotiated a number of agreements intended to limit tensions and avoid unwanted wars. Unlike the high-profile confidence building measures styled by the conference on security and cooperation in Europe, a number of the Indo-Pak CBMs have not been negotiated in intricate detail and have not been publicly released