The document explores the origins and ongoing conflict over Kashmir, highlighting the aggressive military stance of Pakistan supported by American interests, even as it questions the rationale behind such support. It discusses Britain's historical role in the region post-independence and critiques India's earlier defense agreements that limited its military responses. The piece concludes with a hopeful outlook for India's future role in global partnerships and the potential for resolving the Kashmir issue through changing political dynamics.

1. Real origin of the Kashmir problem
By
Gurvinder Singh
Jammu and Kashmir
If World War III were to begin, most defence and political experts the most likely place
will be Kashmir and between Nuclear powers India and Pakistan. Everyone seems to
sense this, yet the two countries remain locked in a dangerous confrontation. The main
flashpoint is Kashmir.
What are the origins of the problem and what keeps the fire of conflict raging?
Having no legal right to claim Kashmir but desiring it all costs, a belligerent and
aggressive Pakistan has waged four very costly and unsuccessful wars on India
seeking to wrest control of Kashmir from India by force. Pakistan's greatest military and
political supporter always has been America. Why?
Conflict is an expensive affair. Yet Pakistan with an economy that survives on handouts,
grants and subsidies primarily from America and American allies.
Why would the world's most powerful nation, which portrays itself as 'The Champion of
Freedom and Democracy' support an incompetent, corrupt, theocratic, fundamentalist,
terrorist, military regime with state of the art weapons and training etc. to continuously
wage war on India, a peace loving secular democratic nation? Why?
Why in the name of fighting terrorism give Pakistan weapons that can only be used only
against India such as aircraft with nuclear weapons delivery capabilities? Why?
This requires us to travel back in history before Indian independence.

2. Britain became an empire by being effective, in protecting and furthering her own
interests at all costs, while being extremely polite and diplomatic. Britain's interest was
to retain indirect control of India even after independence. This is still done in many
ways, but here we will only discuss the military one.
A weakened Britain backed by a powerful America did not want to leave a power
vacuum in which communist Soviet Union and a possibly China could take control. So
they proposed British bases and armed forces to be retained in India after
independence. Indian leaders refused to allow the stationing of foreign troops
Jinnah on the other hand made a deal with the British, that if they partitioned India, and
provided provide military and economic aid to Pakistan, then he would give free rein to
the British to do as they chose. This was a major incentive for the British to partition
India. Bengal and Kashmir were two strategic areas from which British and American
forces could keep in check, both Russia and China.
In pursuit of their grand objectives, the Americans in 1954 chose Turkey, Iran and
Pakistan as their defence partners to contain Russia and communism. In
1955 SEATO and CENTOwas formed and had expanded to include UK and Iraq also.
In 1959. Massive American aid began gushing into Pakistan, turning a relatively small
insignificant nation into a monster.
________________
Inexplicably both India and Pakistan agreed to retain
Britishers as Commander-in-Chief and Chiefs of Air and
Naval Staff, of their respective armies, even after
independence. Lord Mountbatten was appointed the
Governor General of India.
Mountbatten, not Nehru presided over the proceedings of the
Defence Committee of the Cabinet. Incredulously Nehru
willingly handed over control of the security and defence of
the country to the British. More shocking is the silence of all
Indian leaders, the intellectuals and the general public on
this matter.
The heads of the armed forces both of India and Pakistan
which were commanded by British generals, were in a
unique position to influence the course of the military action. The Attlee Government in
the UK, Mountbatten and the British generals in India and General Gracey, British C-in-
C of Pakistani army, conspired to stop India from making full use of its military strength
to throw out Pakistani forces from Jammu and Kashmir or to attack Pakistan in 1947-48.
Mountbatten, Nehru and Edwina

3. Recently unclassified British records reveal that, Mountbatten and
his officers collectively projected to Indian leaders a deliberately
exaggerated picture of India's military limitations, vis-a-vis Pakistan.
General Busher, C-in-C Indian Army, issued a directive on July 6,
1948, to General Cariappa in Jammu and Kashmir, that no major
operation should be undertaken without approval of Army HQ. He
forbade the use of the Indian Airforce. Mountbatten further advised
India to take the case to the United Nations.
Evidence by way of interviews and records of this conspiracy have
been recorded by C. Das Gupta in his book War and Diplomacy in
Kashmir 1947-48 by Sage Publications, New Delhi.
________________
America always desired that Kashmir be available to them for their use, where they
could have bases and a strong military presence. Kashmir as part of a non aligned India
was a second choice to a Kashmir within a willing and compliant Pakistan.
There is always a matter in the madness. This explains the seemingly irrational
American, financial, military and political support for Pakistan's misadventures, conflicts,
and terrorism activities.
This is why America vetoed or abstained from almost every resolution that would
condemn irrational and unlawful actions of Pakistan. This explains why nearly almost all
weapons and ammunition that are used by Pakistan against India have been donated
by America or through their proxies like Turkey, Jordan, Saudi Arabia etc. and
reimbursed by America.
America thought they had a brilliant strategy in place. They had however never
anticipated the incompetence, corruption and insincerity of Pakistani military and
political leadership, the harmful influence of Pakistani clerics and the corruption levels of
Pakistani institutions.
America secretly aided Pakistan acquire nuclear
capabilities.America tacitly supported Pakistan's acquisition of
nuclear bombs from China.
America has also provided massive support and training to Pakistan
to develop and perfect, dangerous, highly effective low cost
asymmetrical warfare techniques. Terrorism is one prime example
perfected for use against Soviet forces in Afghanistan but now used
against India. This approach of using non state actors to set aflame
Kashmir, has spread to envelop and consume all of Pakistan itself
and many parts of South Asia. Its flames are now spreading across
the world.
What has America got in return for supporting and funding a major part of Pakistan's
budget every year? A hostile Pakistani people, with 95% of the Pakistan's population
hating America and all Westerners with all their heart and minds. They have thrust
Pakistan into the clutches of an increasingly belligerent and aggressive China. Pakistan

4. gifted a large part of POK to China. Now the Chinese have bases in POK and intend to
use them to push for Chinese Hegemony over Asia at Pakistan's cost.
On the other hand, even though American administrations have been relatively hostile
to Indian interests, most Indians still have good regards for and support America and
Americans.
America's challenges have grown with time. Russia still
represents a formidable foe. China's meteoric economic
and military rise is a serious concern. An overly
aggressive Chinese PLA (People's Liberation Army) has
now set up bases in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK).
Its deliberately being confrontational with nearly all its
neighbours, much like a regional bully. The PLA is
ratcheting up tensions across Asia and itching for a
confrontation.
With no credibility and limited ability, a dysfunctional two-timing Pakistan has turned out
to be a frighteningly bad and very expensive bet. Nuclear armed Pakistan a client state,
hobbled by strong vested interests internally and externally is so anarchic now that one
could call it a failed state, on the verge of implosion.
It is important for countries to have principles, but they must be relevant and beneficial
to the nation's interests. In the past, Indian leadership had pompously adopted too many
irrelevant, fruitless and mostly self defeating policies. Now that is undergoing dramatic
change.
America and her allies have always courted Indian cooperation and partnership. The
nations have recently grown more intimate and this can only help stabilise and make
secure the region.
Abandoning its ineffective, and destructive pseudo socialistic stance, the new Indian
government's pragmatic approach to political and military affairs primes India to rise as
a non threatening superpower. India by its very character is a natural and attractive
partner not only for America but also Russia and China.
India already trades extensively with China and Russia. America and India are greatly
enhancing their already strong economical, business, strategic, and technological
partnership with greater political and military partnerships. The recently passed National
Defence Authorisation Act 2017 of America has upgraded India as a major defence
partner while placing severe conditions placed on Pakistan for the bulk of any
assistance they might receive from America.
Barring a few countries, the world follows where America leads. The result is a pro-India
global tilt. If it plays its cards right, India can provide a win - win partnership to all major

5. powers and also itself.
America has moved from embracing to tolerating Pakistan because of the Afghanistan
mess it finds itself mired in. Its only a matter of time, but if Indian and Pakistani
leadership and governments continue on their present political, military and economic
trajectories then the Kashmir problem will resolve itself soon. With that India and the
world will be more peaceful.
Peace always yields rich dividends. India can get on with its rise as a cultural, spiritual
and economic global power. A country which betters the lives of humanity and of all
Indians, including the Kashmiris, be they Hindu, Muslim Sikh, Buddhist or Christian