Theme III 1b_ Indo-Pakistani Conflict (1947-1972)

Theme III 1b: Indo-Pakistani Conflict (1947-1972) 1 “Not forever does the bulbul sing In balmy shades of bowers, Not forever lasts the spring Nor ever blossom the flowers. Not forever reigneth joy, Sets the sun on days of bliss, Friendships not forever last, They know not life, who know not this.” -Train to Pakistan 1 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India%E2%80%93Pakistan_wars_and_conflicts#/media/File:1971_Instrument_of_Surr ender_WaPo.jpg Those in red indicate things that may be problematic

Key Concepts 1. Peace a. Absence of War b. Interests of different parties catered to without the need to resort to war 2. Cooperation a. State and non-state actors adjust their behaviour to the anticipated or actual preferences of others through policy coordination b. Exhibited by i. Participating in peace negotiations ii. A few actors allying themselves against a greater common enemy 3. Conflict a. Incompatible or competitive interests, hence countries strive to reduce the gains available to other states or impede their achievements b. Attributed to divergence in political security, economic or ideological interests 4. Conflict development a. Start, development/protraction, resolution Causes (Outbreak of Conflict) 1. Decolonisation a. Poorly planned plans failed to account for the complex rivalrous religious situation in India, setting the basis for tensions along religious lines i. 1947 Partition plan stipulated that Muslim majority Bengal and Punjab not be awarded to Pakistan but split due to the substantial non-muslim populations. This provoked reactions like that of Tara Singh, a Sikh activist to brandish a sword in a rally and tear apart a Muslim League flag. ii. Withdrawal of the British meant that there was no external arbiter like the British Indian Army to keep internal divisions in check. Tensions along ideological lines were able to boil over and manifest into conflict b. Post war economic interests as well as the desire to rid itself of colonialism led to hastily plans that lacked adequate time for the partition of India to be carefully considered, it also meant inadequate preparation to ensure smooth execution i. Mountbatten, due to his desire to return to the navy swiftly, sped the timetable by 10 months. Leaving only 72 days to divide an India that housed a complex ethnic and religious demographic. This left the future of over 656 princely states inadequately deliberated over. This re