India and Neighbouring Countries: Pakistan

About Pakistan

Pakistan is the immediate neighbour of India which emerged from the same piece of land with its capital at Islamabad.
India – Pakistan border length is 3,323 kilometres and shares a border with Indian states like Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir.

Timeline of India – Pakistan Relation which Witness Ups and Downs

1947 – First war with Pakistan due to invasion of Kashmir by Pakistani armed tribesmen.
1949 – Karachi agreement mediated by the UN led to the establishment of the ceasefire agreement.
1950 – The Nehru Liaquat pact deals with the treatment of minorities in both countries.
1960 – Indus Water Treaty on water sharing.
1965 – India – Pakistan war.
1966 – The Tashkent agreement ended the war.
1971 – Bangladesh Liberation War.
1972 – Shimla agreement.
1984 – Operation Meghdoot by India to capture Siachen Glacier.
1993 – Bombay terror attack.
1998 – Both countries carried out a nuclear test.
1999 – Kargil War and Lahore Agreement.
2004 – Islamabad declaration.
2006 and 2008 – Mumbai terror attack.
2014 – SAARC meeting.
2016 – Uri attack and Surgical Strike.
2017 – Launch of SAARC satellite and Pakistan move out
2019
- Jammu and Kashmir reorganization.
- Opening of Kartarpur corridor.
- Pulwama attack which killed 40 soldiers and India conducted air attacks against what it calls Pakistan-based rebel group Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM)’s “biggest training camp”, killing “a very large number of terrorists” as retaliation.
2021 – Ceasefire agreement
2022 – Backchannel diplomacy efforts reported.
2023-24 – No formal talks, but occasional engagement through third parties like UAE and Saudi Arabia.

Areas of Focus

Political Relations
- India has followed a consistent and principled policy towards Pakistan in keeping with its “Neighbourhood First Policy”. India seeks normal neighbourly relations with Pakistan.
- There have been numerous attempts to improve the relationship, notably the Shimla Summit, the Agra summit, and the Lahore Summit.
- In 2014, India invited then-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to the swearing-in ceremony of the Indian Prime Minister.
- External Affairs Minister (EAM) took the initiative to propose a Comprehensive Bilateral Dialogue with acts of cross-border terrorism and violence against India including the cross-border terror attack.
- Time and again India has stressed creating trust and an environment free of violence and terrorism to foster cooperation for peace, progress and prosperity in the region.
- On 7 August 2019, Pakistan took unilateral actions to downgrade diplomatic relations with India in an attempt to present an alarming picture of bilateral ties to the world.
Defence
- Hostile relations due to incidents like
  - Attack on Pathankot Airbase on 2 January 2016.
  - Attack on Army Camp in Uri in August 2016.
  - Terror attack on the convoy of Indian security forces in Pulwama by Pakistan based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) on 14 February 2019.
  - Promoting cross-border terrorism by ISI.
Trade and Commerce
- India had accorded Most Favored Nation status to Pakistan in 1996.
- In August 2012, India announced reduction of 30% in its SAFTA Sensitive List for non-Least Developed Countries of SAFTA [including Pakistan], bringing down tariff on 264 items to 5% within a period of three years.
- Pakistan continued to follow restrictive trade policy towards India.
- In the aftermath of cross border terror attack in Pulwama, India withdrew Most Favoured Nation Status to Pakistan.
- India also hiked customs duty on exports from Pakistan to 200% on 16 February 2019. Subsequently, as part of its unilateral measures, Pakistan suspended bilateral trade with India on 7 August 2019.
Indus Waters Treaty
- The Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) is a water-sharing agreement between India and Pakistan, signed in 1960 with the mediation of the World Bank.
- The six rivers of the Indus Basin were divided into two groups:
  - Western Rivers (Pakistan’s Control): Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab
  - Eastern Rivers (India’s Control): Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej
- A permanent Indus Commission was established to handle disputes and ensure treaty implementation.
People – People Relations
- - India suggested to Pakistan to revive the mechanism of the Joint Judicial Committee which looks into humanitarian issues of fishermen and prisoners in each other’s custody.
  - Positive Takeaway
    - Established Kartapur Corridor for religious visit
    - Delhi – Lahore bus service
    - Samjhauta Express – Launched by Shimla agreement but revoked in 2019 Jammu and Kashmir issue.

Concern in Relation

Disputed Region
- Jammu and Kashmir
- Siachin glacier
- Sir Creek
Pakistan promotes organised crime like the smuggling of arms and drugs
Kulbhushan Jadav case
Pakistan – China nexus in projects like BRI

Way to Overcome

Enhance people-to-people contact.
Enhance cricket diplomacy which is a common sport in both countries.
Use of common international platforms like SAARC for bilateral talks.