India and Pakistan on the brink of war! Here's why this historic rivalry exists

The escalation of tensions between India and Pakistan began on April 22 with a violent terrorist attack in Kashmir (a region divided between India and Pakistan after World War II). The Indian government, after accusing Pakistan of harboring terrorists, suspended the Indus Waters Treaty. Following the attack, New Delhi bombed nine sites in Pakistani Kashmir, and today the two countries, which have equally powerful nuclear arsenals, are on the brink of war.

But how did they get to this point and where does this historic rivalry stem from?

Kashmiri Knot

India and Pakistan have been at odds with each other since the early days of independence from the British. Their rivalry quickly erupted into open war over Kashmir, a region that borders both countries and is destined to cause bitter disputes because of its unique situation.

Strategic position

At the end of British rule, it was ruled by a Hindu Maharaja but was inhabited mainly by Muslims. The Pakistanis coveted Kashmir because they wanted to unite all the Muslim populations of the area, but what made this region important was its position, which allowed them to control strategic mountain passes.

The first conflict

In 1947, Pakistani irregular troops attempted to force the situation, provoking an Indian response and the first war between Pakistan and India, which lasted until 1949. At the end of the conflict, Kashmir was divided between the two countries, but tensions between India and Pakistan did not subside. Further conflicts erupted in 1965 and 1971.

Extreme tension

The worst occurred in 1971. That year, 10 million people from East Pakistan sought refuge in India due to a terrible famine. The Indian government used the opportunity to foment a rebellion among the people of that area against the Pakistani government, and a short and violent war between the two countries ensued.

Indian forces soon gained the upper hand, and India promoted the creation of the autonomous state of Bangladesh, thus achieving the separation of the eastern territories from Pakistan. Between 1998 and 1999, another conflict erupted in the region for several weeks. A ceasefire was signed in 2003 that is still in effect (the commitment was renewed in 2021), but hostilities continue to erupt periodically.

today

Since then there have been no more violent conflicts, but today the border between India and Pakistan has become very heated, especially since both countries have nuclear weapons: about 140 and 150 nuclear warheads each. (A2 Televizion)