Origins
- 1947: Maharaja Hari Singh (Hindu ruler of Muslim-majority princely state) acceded to India amid tribal invasion from Pakistan — accession disputed by Pakistan
- First India-Pakistan war (1947-48) resulted in ceasefire line (later LoC) dividing Kashmir
UN Involvement
- UNSC Resolution 47 (1948) — called for plebiscite to let Kashmiris decide accession; never implemented
- UNMOGIP (UN Military Observer Group) established to monitor ceasefire line — still nominally active
- Pakistan's consistent position: implement UN resolutions, right to self-determination for Kashmiris
Key Developments
- 1965 & 1999 (Kargil) wars fought substantially over Kashmir
- Simla Agreement (1972) — converted ceasefire line into Line of Control (LoC); bilateral resolution principle emphasized (reduced UN's role going forward)
- Insurgency in Indian-administered Kashmir intensified from late 1980s
August 2019 — Major Turning Point
- India revoked Article 370 (special autonomous status) and Article 35A of J&K; bifurcated state into two Union Territories (J&K and Ladakh)
- Pakistan condemned as illegal, downgraded diplomatic ties with India, suspended trade
- India frames it as internal constitutional matter; Pakistan and UN maintain Kashmir remains a disputed territory pending final settlement
Pakistan's Position Today
- Consistently raises issue at UN, OIC, bilateral forums
- Advocates for self-determination/plebiscite per original UN resolutions
- Human rights concerns in Indian-administered Kashmir frequently cited (communication blackouts, demographic change concerns post-2019)
Exam angle