class-4
WARS AND PEACE WITH PAKISTAN
- War 1947: Conflict started over the dispute on Kashmir & A proxy war not full war broke out. Issue referred to UN And Pakistan emerged as a critical factor in India’s relations with the US & China.
PEACE: Both the governments worked together to:
- restore the women abducted during Partition.
- INDUS WATERS TREATY Signed (Nehru & General Ayub Khan-1960) for sharing river water (through mediation-World Bank)
- War 1965:
- In Aprail Pakistan launched armed attacks in the Rann of Kutch area so armed conflict began.
- In August September a bigger offensive attack in J & K.
- Pakistani rulers hope-local public will support but couldn’t happened.
- As PM LBS, ordered Indian troops to launch a counter-offensive on the Punjab border to ease the pressure on the Kashmir front.
- Indian army reached close to Lahore after a fierce battle.
PEACE:
- Hostilities End with the UN intervention.
- Tashkent Agreement: intermediary by USSR, Jan- 1966; Shastri vs Pakistan’s General Ayub Khan.
- India inflicted Pakistan on military loss but added difficult economic situation for India also.
- Bangladesh Crisis, 1971:
- In 1970; Biggest internal disturbance in Pak;
- 1st general election; split verdict(in West- Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s, In East- Sheikh Mujib-ur Rahman(Awami League; demand for a federation) because west rulers treated as second class citizens); West Pak rulers were not willing to accept.
- Army arrested Sheikh Mujib (1971) + unleashed a reign of terror (East Pak)-> People started a struggle to liberate ‘Bangladesh’ from Pakistan.
- US-Pakistan-China axis: US-China rapprochement in late 1960’sfor realignment of forces in Asia. In July 1971-Richard Nixon (adviser of US President), made a secret visit to China via Pakistan.
- To counter this India signed 20-year Treaty of Peace and Friendship with USSR (August 1971). Assured for Soviet support if the country faced any attack.
- India’s role:
- bear the burden of about 80 lakh refugees.
- extended moral and material support to the freedom struggle.
Pakistan’s blame:
India did a conspiracy to break it up.
- WAR (December 1971):
- Pakistan attacked: through aircrafts (Punjab & Rajasthan), Army (J & K)
- India retaliated with air force, navy & army on both fronts (West & East-rapid progress) with local people -> Within 10 days surrounded Dhaka from three sides, 90,000 Pakistani shoulders surrendered.
- Bangladesh became free country-> India declared unilateral ceasefire; SHIMLA Agreement-3 July 1972 (Indira vs Bhutto)
IN INDIA AFTER VICTORY:
- National jubilation celebrated.
- Seen as moment of glory & a clear sign of India’s growing military prowess.
- PM Indira’s personal popularity soared.
- After the war, in assembly elections Congress got large majorities in many states.
- Kargil Conflict/War (1999)
- Some areas of Mashkoh, Dras, Kaksar and Batalik (Indian side of the LoC) were occupied by Mujahideens (Suspecting involvement of the Pakistan Army)-> India reacted (May/June 1999)
- By 26 July 1999, India had recovered control of many of the lost points.
- Kargil conflict drew attention worldwide because both had attained nuclear capability instantly.
- remained confined only to the Kargil region.
- Controversy in Pak brcause PM (Nawaz Sharif) of Pakistan was kept in the dark by the Army Chief Parvez Musharraf.
- Soon after the conflict, Pakistan Army taken over the government of Pakistan.
INDIA’S NUCLEAR POLICY
- Nehru’s faith in S & T for modern India so he initiated:
- Nuclear program [late 1940s] under the guidance of Homi J. Bhabha),
- Atomic energy for peaceful purposes. but he was against nuclear weapons & pleaded with superpowers (US, USSR) for comprehensive nuclear disarmament. However nuclear arsenal kept rising- UK[1952], France[1960], China[1964].
- Now these Permanent Members of the UN Security Council tried to impose NPT from 1968.
- Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT):
- The treaty defines: nuclear-weapon states (have built+tested a nuclear explosive before 1-1-1967) can have but banned to other states. So 191/196 signed but 5 have objection: India, Israel, N. Korea, Pakistan, S. Sudan.
- So India’s first nuclear explosion- May 1974 [Committed- policy of using nuclear power only for peaceful purposes]
- After facing many external[Arab-Israel War-1973; Oil Shock, ] & internal[economic turmoil; Inflation, many agitations (railway strike)] difficulties; India could such test. Because broad agreement among the parties on national integration, protection of international boundaries, and on questions of national interest.
- Indefinite extension of the NPT [1995]-> India opposed, refused to sign CTBT & conducted a series of nuclear tests in May, 1998.
- Purpose: demonstrating India’s capacity to use nuclear energy for military purposes.
- India’s nuclear doctrine: Will have nuclear weapons for own security but “no first use”
- India’s commitment to global: verifiable, non-discriminatory nuclear disarmament leading to a nuclear weapons free world.
- In 1998: When Pakistan did test; vulnerability increased in Indian sub-continent; international community imposed some sanctions on both but waived later.
India – Shifting alliances in world politics
- When non-Congress governments (1977), announced to follow genuine non-alignment. Means pro-Soviet tilt will be corrected.
- Then all govts. Will try to restore better relations with China and close ties with US. But after 1990 ruling parties criticised for their pro-US.
- Two questions which are closely linked with India’s foreign policy: India’s stand with Pakistan ? Indo-US relations ?
- national interest is main motive for foreign policy: After 1990 India’s foreign policy shifted towards pro-US because USSR lost its global preeminence.
- Indo-Pakistan relations: After 1990 many new initiative for economic development taken for: cultural exchanges, movement of citizens, economic cooperation still peace process, efforts at negotiating durable peace have been going on.