The Islamic Republic of Pakistan (Urdu: ‫اسالمی جمہوریۂ پاکستان‬, islāmī jamhūriya i pākistān),

or Pakistan (Urdu: ‫پاکستان‬, pākistān), is a country located in South Asia. Its strategic location at a
crossroads of political and religious ideologies has kept it at the forefront of world events. Its culture
and history have been enriched by the countless invaders, traders, and settlers who have been a
part of the region’s past. The country borders India, Afghanistan, Iran (Persia), China and
the Arabian Sea. With around 178 million inhabitants, it is the sixth most populous country, the
second most populous Muslim-majority nation. It is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations and
the OIC.
The area of Pakistan has a long history of settlement and civilisation that includes some of the
most ancient cultures. The region was invaded by Mongols, Greeks, Persians, Arabs,
and Turks before being invaded by the British Raj in the Eighteenth century. Pakistan became
independent on 14 August 1947 as one of two successor states to British India. (The other
successor state was the Union of India, which became the Republic of India in 1950.)
Following independence, Pakistan has seen repeated military coups, the loss of East Pakistan in
1971, widespread Islamic fundamentalism and significant military and economic growth, with the
second-fastest growing economy amongst the ten most populous countries in the world in 2005 and
the twenty-seventh largest economy in terms of purchasing power parity. Pakistan has the seventh
largest armed forces in the world and is one of eight declared nuclear weapons states.

Pakistan is located in South Asia. Other countries in this region include Pakistan’s arch
rival India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Maldives and Bhutan. These countries are
also part of a bloc called SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation)
which was established in 1985. While Afghanistan was included as full member in
2006, Iran, China and Myanmar are seeking full member status in the bloc.

After Sub Saharan Africa, South Asia is the poorest region in the world with a large
percentage of the population living below the poverty line. Quarter of the world’s poor
population is living in Africa while half is in South Asia alone. South Asia is amongst the
least integrated region in the world according to a World Bank report published in 2007.
In South Asia, trade amongst the countries is only 2% of the region’s combined GDP
while on the other hand in East Asia it is 20%.

These countries are still competing with each other globally, due to similar mindset of
the ruling elite, similar climatic conditions and soil composition. These countries have
however have hostilities against each other despite having close proximity and common
borders.

In this region the largest countries by population in the descending order are India,
Pakistan and Bangladesh. These three countries are agriculture and manufacturing
based economies but don’t have good diplomatic relations with each other. This ‘trust
deficit’ hinders any economic cooperation between these countries in agriculture and
manufacturing sector.

Countries in this region are suffering from energy shortage which according to me is a
lifeline for any economy in the world. Inconsistent policies and mismanagement is
prime reason for the energy crisis in this region for the past 40 years or so. The power
generation facilities in this region are running below optimum capacity because of fuel
shortage and poor cash flows.

The aggregate installed electricity generation capacity of Pakistan is around 30,000

mega watt but unfortunately the capacity utilization is around 50% i.e. 15,000 mega
watt. Not only Pakistan, but its neighbor India, is also suffering from the same problem.
India, which happens to be the third largest economy in the world, has installed
generation capacity of 250,000 mega watt but capacity utilization is around 60% i.e.
150,000 mega watt. While India is trying to overcome the energy crisis, Pakistan on the
other hand has often ignored the important problem and appropriate steps or not taken
to overcome the problem.

One can just forget two of the gas pipeline projects Iran-Pakistan-India (IPI) and
Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI). Both the pipelines were aimed at
catering to Indian gas requirement but Pakistan was to benefit in two ways: 1) getting
millions of dollars transit fee and 2) also gas for meeting domestic requirements. It was
believed that after easing of economic sanctions on Iran, Pakistan will succeed in
completing portion of gas pipeline located in its territory. However, it seems that
Government of Pakistan (GoP) does not wish to complete this project due to the US
pressure. Fate of TAPI is also in doldrums as NATO forces are likely to vacate
Afghanistan in 2014. Therefore, Pakistan will have to accelerate oil and gas exploration
activities in the country and also complete LNG project on war footings.

Pakistan is a natural corridor for energy supply because on one side are energy-rich
countries and on the other side are energy-starved ones. Pakistan can also follow
Singapore example and establish state-of-the art refineries on the coastal belt. In this
regards help can be sought from China, Russia and other Central Asian countries.
Pakistan already has a mid-country refinery and two pipelines to carry black and white
oil products up to Multan. This can pave way for export of white oil products to
Afghanistan and Chinese cities enjoying common border with Pakistan. Realization of
all these projects can help the country in earning millions of dollars transit fee.

Ironically, Gwadar port project has been put on back bumper after the departure of
Pervez Musharraf. In fact the paraphernalia should have been completed prior to
transfer of management control to China. Though, India is facilitating in the construction
of Chabahar port in Iran, Pakistan will continue to offer shortest and most cost effective
route up to Central Asian countries passing through Afghanistan.

Lately, some of the Middle Eastern countries have shown keen interest in acquiring
agriculture land in Pakistan but local feudal lords have emerged to be the biggest
opponents to leasing of cultivable lands to other countries. Pakistan has millions of
acres of land which is not cultivated, mainly due to shortage of irrigation water. Leasing
out land to other countries is not a bad proposal because it would help in improving the
infrastructure i.e. construction of farm to market roads, and modern warehouses.
Construction of water courses and installation of tube wells would have helped in raising
sub-soil water levels in arid zones.

Pakistan produces huge quantities of wheat, rice, sugar, fertilizer but a significant
portion of these commodities is smuggled to neighboring countries. Plugging of porous
border and formalizing trade with India, Iran and Afghanistan can increase Pakistan’s
export manifold. It is estimated that nearly one million tons wheat and half a million tons
rice and sugar each is smuggled to the neighboring countries.

The increase in lending to farmers has started yielding benefits with Pakistan joining the
club of wheat exporting countries. The recent initiative of State Bank of Pakistan,
Warehouse Receipt Financing and trading of these receipts at Pakistan Mercantile
Exchange is likely to improve earnings of farmers, though reduction in wastages and
better price discovery. It is encouraging that British Government has offered assistance
equivalent to Rs240 million to complete the project at a faster pace. The key hurdle in
the realization of this project is lack of modern warehouses and absence of collateral
management companies.

It is necessary to remind the GoP that nearly 1000 palm oil plants were grown in Sindh
near the coastal line. While a large percentage of plants have died due to improper
management, extracting oil is almost impossible because no crushers have been
installed. Achieving self sufficiency in edible oil can help in saving over US$2 billion
currently being spent on import of palm oil.

Pakistan often faces ban on export of seafood because to not abiding by international
laws. While local fishermen face starvation deep sea trawlers from other countries
intrude into Pakistan’s territorial waters and take away huge catch. On top of all use of
banned net results in killing of smaller fish that are ultimately used in the production of
chickenfeed. This practice going on for decades deprives Pakistan from earning huge
foreign exchange besides ‘economic assassination’ of poor fishermen.

Pakistan’s agri and industrial production has remained low due to absence of policies
encouraging greater value addition. Pakistan is among the top five largest cotton
producing countries but its share in the global trade of textiles and clothing is around
two percent. The country needs to establish industries that can achieve higher value
addition. Pakistan should export pulp rather than exporting fruits which have shorter
shelf life.

Pakistan has overwhelming majority of Muslims but still goods worth billions of dollars
are imported which are not Halal. Ideally, Pakistan should be exporting Halal food
products to other Muslim countries. The country need to focus on breeding of animals
(i.e. chicken, goat, cows) and export frozen meat and dairy products. If countries like
Australia, and Holland can produce Halal Products what is stopping Pakistan.
Another example to follow is Bangladesh, which does not produces cotton but its export
of textiles and clothing is more than that of Pakistan. This is because Bangladesh has
focus on achieving higher value addition and Pakistan continues to produce law quality
and low prices items. This is waste of precious resource and to be honest value addition
is negative.

Pakistan has also not been able to benefit from being a member of SAARC. Some of
the analysts say it is difficult to compete with India but has Pakistan really made any
effort to achieve higher value addition? The reply is in negative due to prevailing
mindset of Pakistanis who want to lead ‘easy life’

China–Pakistan relations
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Pakistan–China relations

Pakistan China

Diplomatic Mission

Pakistani Embassy, Beijing Chinese Embassy, Islamabad

Envoy

Ambassador Masood Khalid Ambassador Sun Weidong

China–Pakistan relations began in 1950 when Pakistan was among the first countries to end
official diplomatic relations with the Republic of China on Taiwan and recognize the PRC. Since
then, both countries have placed considerable importance on the maintenance of an extremely close
and supportive relationship[1][2][3] and the two countries have regularly exchanged high-level visits
 resulting in a variety of agreements. The PRC has provided economic, military and technical
assistance to Pakistan and each considers the other a close strategic ally.[4][5] The relationship has
recently been the subject of renewed attention due to the publication of a new book, The China-
Pakistan Axis: Asia's New Geopolitics, which is the first extensive treatment of the relationship since
the 1970s.
Bilateral relations have evolved from an initial Chinese policy of neutrality to a partnership with a
smaller but militarily powerful Pakistan. Diplomatic relations were established in 1950, military
assistance began in 1966, a strategic alliance was formed in 1972 and economic co-operation
began in 1979. China has become Pakistan’s largest supplier of arms and its third-largest trading
partner.[6][7] Recently, both nations have decided to cooperate in improving Pakistan's civil nuclear
power sector.[8]
According to Pew Research Center in 2014, Pakistanis have the most favorable view of China after
China itself.[9]Maintaining close relations with China is a central part of Pakistan's foreign policy.
China supported Pakistan's opposition to the Soviet Union's intervention in Afghanistan and is
perceived by Pakistan as a regional counterweight to NATO and the United States.[dubious – discuss] In
addition, Pakistan was one of only two countries, alongside Cuba, to offer crucial support for the
PRC in after the Tiananmen protests of 1989. China and Pakistan also share close military relations,
with China supplying a range of modern armaments to the Pakistani defense forces. China supports
Pakistan's stance on Kashmir while Pakistan supports China on the issues of Xinjiang, Tibet,
and Taiwan. Military cooperation has deepened with joint projects producing armaments ranging
from fighter jets to guided missile frigates.
Chinese cooperation with Pakistan has reached economic high points, with substantial Chinese
investment in Pakistani infrastructural expansion including the Pakistani deep-water port at Gwadar.
Both countries have an ongoing free trade agreement. Pakistan has served as China's main bridge
between Muslim countries. Pakistan also played an important role in bridging the communication
gap between China and the West by facilitating the 1972 Nixon visit to China. The relations between
Pakistan and China have been described by Pakistan's ambassador to China as higher than the
mountains, deeper than the oceans, stronger than steel, dearer than eyesight, sweeter than honey,
and so on. [10] According to Stockholm International Peace Research Institute Pakistan is China's
biggest arms buyer, counting for nearly 47% of Chinese arms exports.[11] According to a 2014 BBC
World Service Poll, 75% of Pakistanis view China's influence positively with only 15% expressing a
negative view. In the Asia Pacific region, Chinese people hold third most positive opinions of
Pakistan's influence in the world, behind Indonesia and Pakistan itself.[12]

Contents
[hide]

 1Background
 2Diplomatic relations
 3Military relations
 4Economic relations
o 4.1China–Pakistan Economic Corridor
 5Views
 6Issues
 7Timeline
 8See also
 9Bibliography
 10References
 11External links
Background[edit]

Karakoram Highway connects the two states, it is also sometimes referred to as the Eighth Wonder of the
World.

Buddhist monks from the area of what is now present day Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region of Pakistan
were involved in the Silk Road transmission of Buddhism to Han dynasty China. The Han
dynasty's Protectorate of the Western Regions bordered the Kushan Empire. Faxian travelled in
what is now modern day Pakistan.
Pakistan has a long and strong relationship with China. The long-standing ties between the two
countries have been mutually beneficial. A close identity of views and mutual interests remain the
centre-point of bilateral ties. Since the 1962 Sino-Indian War, Pakistan has supported China on most
issues of importance to the latter, especially those related to the question of China's sovereignty
like Taiwan, Xinjiang, and Tibet and other sensitive issues such as human rights.[13]
The Chinese leadership has acknowledged Pakistan's steadfast support on key issues. Pakistan
helped China in reestablishing formal ties with the West, where they helped make possible the 1972
Nixon visit to China.[citation needed] Pakistan has collaborated with China in extensive military and
economic projects, seeing China as a counterweight to India and the United States. Pakistan has
also served as a conduit for China's influence in the Muslim world.
China also has a consistent record of supporting Pakistan in regional issues. Pakistan's military
depends heavily on Chinese armaments, and joint projects of both economic and militaristic
importance are ongoing. China has supplied equipment to support Pakistan's nuclear program.

Diplomatic relations[edit]
Henry Kissinger was on a secret mission to China facilitated by the Government of Pakistan, a fact known to
very few people including Ambassador Hilaly.

Chinese Muslims fought against Japan in World War II. The Hui Muslim Imam Da
Pusheng 达浦生 toured the Middle East and South Asia to confront Japanese propagandists in
Muslim countries and denounce their invasion to the Islamic world. He directly confronted Japanese
agents in Muslim countries and challenged them in public over their propaganda. He went to British
India, Hejaz in Saudi Arabia and Cairo in Egypt. An anti-Japanese 8-month tour to spread
awareness of the war in Muslim nations was undertaken by Muslim Shanghai Imam Da
Pusheng.[14]Misinformation on the war was spread in the Islamic Middle Eastern nations by Japanese
agents. In response, in the World Islamic Congress in Hejaz, Imam Du openly confronted fake
Muslim Japanese agents and exposed them as non-Muslims. Japan's history of imperialism was
explained by Du to his fellow Muslims. Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the future founder of Pakistan, met
with Imam Du. The anti Japanese war effort in China received a pledge of support from
Jinnah.[15] The Hindu leaders Tagore and Gandhi and Muslim Jinnah both discussed the war with the
Chinese Muslim delegation under Ma Fuliang while in Turkey President İsmet İnönü also met the
delegation.[16] The bombardment of Chinese Muslims by the warplanes of the Japanese was reported
in the newspapers of Syria. Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon were all toured by the
delegation. The Foreign Minister, Prime Minister, and President of Turkey met with the Chinese
Muslim delegation after they came via Egypt in May 1939. Gandhi and Jinnah met with the Hui Ma
Fuliang and his delegation as they denounced Japan.[17]
Diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China were established on 21 May 1951, shortly after
the Republic Of China lost power in the Mainland in 1949.[18] While initially ambivalent towards the
idea of a Communist country on its borders, Pakistan hoped that China would serve as a
counterweight to Indian influence. India had recognized China a year before, and Indian Prime
Minister Nehru also hoped for closer relations with the Chinese. However, with escalating border
tensions leading to the 1962 Sino-Indian war, China and Pakistan aligned with each other in a joint
effort to counter Indian encroachment. One year after China's border war with India, Pakistan ceded
the Trans-Karakoram Tract to China to end border disputes and improve diplomatic relations.
Since then, an informal alliance that initially consisted of joint Indian opposition[clarification needed] has grown
into a lasting relationship that has benefited both nations on the diplomatic, economic and military
frontiers. Along with diplomatic support, Pakistan served as a conduit for China to open up to the
West. China has in turn provided extensive economic aid and political support to Pakistan.

Disputed territory ceded to China in 1963.

Since the two sides established their "all-weather diplomatic relations", there has been frequent
exchanges between the two countries' leadership and peoples. For example, former Chinese
Premier Zhou Enlai received warm welcomes in all of his four visits to Pakistan. When Zhou died in
1976, then Pakistani's Ambassador to China rushed to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs at 8 in
the morning without appointment. Upon arriving at the ministry, the ambassador cried due to his grief
in front of Chinese diplomats. In 2004, a road in Pakistani capital Islamabad leading to the
Diplomatic Enclave was named "Zhou Enlai Road". It is the first road in Pakistan that is named after
foreign leaders. On 27 May 1976, then Chinese leader Mao Zedong, aged 83, received his last
foreign guest Pakistani president Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto despite his illness.[19] On 22 May 2013, Chinese
Premier Li Keqiang's airplane was escorted by six JF-17 Thunder jets, jointly developed by the two
countries, as it entered Pakistani airspace.[20] The premier was also received by both Pakistani
president and prime minister upon his arrival at the airport. On 20 April 2015, Chinese President Xi
Jinping visited Pakistan as his first foreign visit of the year, also the first by a Chinese president in 9
years. Before his arrival, he published an article praising the friendship on Pakistani newspapers
like Daily Jang. The Chinese president compared visiting Pakistan with visiting his brother's
home.[21] Like previous visit by Premier Li, the airplane was escorted by 8 JF-17 Thunder jets. Xi was
given a grand welcome upon his arrival at Noor Khan airbase, a 21-gun salute and guard of honour
was presented to him.[22]
When I was young, I heard many touching stories about Pakistan and the friendship between our
two countries. To name just a few, I learned that the Pakistani people were working hard to build
their beautiful country, and that Pakistan opened an air corridor for China to reach out to the world
and supported China in restoring its lawful seat in the United Nations. The stories have left me with a
deep impression. I look forward to my upcoming state visit to Pakistan.

— Xi Jinping, President of the People's Republic of China before his 2015 visit to Pakistan, [23]

Pakistan's military initially depended almost entirely on American armaments and aid, which was
increased during the covert U.S. support of Islamic militants in the Soviet war in Afghanistan.
America under US President Richard Nixon supported Pakistan in the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation
War.[24] However, the period following the Soviet withdrawal and the dissolution of the Soviet
Union led indirectly to the increasing realignment of America with the previously pro-Soviet India.
The Pressler Amendment in 1990 suspended all American military assistance and any new
economic aid amidst concerns that Pakistan was attempting to develop a nuclear weapon.[25] Given
the support that Pakistan had given them during the War in Afghanistan, many Pakistanis saw this
as a betrayal that sold out Pakistani interests in favor of India. This belief was further strengthened
as India had developed a nuclear weapon without significant American opposition, and Pakistan felt
obligated to do the same. Consequently, the primarily geopolitical alliance between Pakistan and
China has since 1990 branched out into military and economic cooperation, due to Pakistan's belief
that America's influence and support in the region should be counterbalanced by the Chinese.
With the U.S.-led war in Afghanistan, there is a general sentiment in Pakistan to adopt a foreign
policy which favors China over the United States.[26] Washington has been accused deserting
Pakistan in favor of a policy that favors stronger relations with India, while Pakistan sees China as a
more reliable ally over the long term.[27]
Since September 11 attacks, Pakistan has increased the scope of Chinese influence and support by
agreeing to a number of military projects, combined with extensive economic support and investment
from the Chinese.[citation needed]

Military relations[edit]
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The JF-17 Thunder is a joint Pakistan-China project.

There are strong military ties between People's Republic of China and the Islamic Republic of
Pakistan.[28] This alliance between two neighbouring Asian nations is significant geo-politically. The
strong military ties primarily aim to counter regional Indian and American influence, and was also to
repel Soviet influence in the area. In recent years this relationship has strengthened through ongoing
military projects and agreements between Pakistan and China.
Since 1962, China has been a steady source of military equipment to the Pakistani Army, helping
establish ammunition factories, providing technological assistance and modernizing existing
facilities.[29]

Hongdu JL-8 is co-produced by both Pakistan and China.

Most recently, the Chinese Chengdu J-10B fighter was compared to its closest American
counterpart, the Lockheed Martin F-16C Block 52/60, the most advanced F-16, for orders on either
aircraft for the Pakistan Air Force, resulting in the wins of the Chinese Chengdu J-10B. Accordingly,
the Chengdu J-10B had more advanced technology such as its radar and OLS targeting system, and
its new generation stealthy features, such as its DSI intake gave it an edge over the Lockheed
Martin F-16.
China and Pakistan are involved in several projects to enhance military and weaponry systems,
which include the joint development of the JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft, K-8
Karakorum advance training aircraft, a tailor made training aircraft for the Pakistan Air Force based
on the Chinese domestic Hongdu L-15, space technology, AWACS systems, Al-Khalid tanks, which
China granted license production and tailor made modifications based on the initial Chinese Type 90
and/or MBT-2000. The Chinese has designed tailor made advanced weapons for Pakistan, making it
a strong military power in the Asian region. The armies have a schedule for organising joint military
exercises.[30]
China is the largest investor in Pakistan's Gwadar Deep Sea Port, which is strategically located at
the mouth of the Strait of Hormuz.[31] It is viewed warily by both America and India as a possible
launchpad for the Chinese Navy, giving them the ability to launch submarines and warships in the
Indian Ocean. China has recently pledged to invest nearly $43 billion US dollars.
China has offered Pakistan military aid in order to fight against terrorism in Pakistan.[citation
needed]
Pakistan has purchased military equipment from China in order to bolster their efforts[clarification
needed]
against militants.[32]
If you love China, love Pakistan too.
Li Keqiang, Premier of the People's Republic of China[33]

In the past, China has played a major role in the development of Pakistan's nuclear infrastructure,
especially when increasingly stringent export controls in Western countries made it difficult for
Pakistan to acquire plutonium and uranium enriching equipment from elsewhere such as the
Chinese help in building the Khushab reactor, which plays a key role in Pakistan's production of
plutonium. A subsidiary of the China National Nuclear Corporation contributed in Pakistan's efforts to
expand its uranium enrichment capabilities by providing 5,000 custom made ring magnets, which are
a key component of the bearings that facilitate the high-speed rotation of centrifuges. China has also
provided technical and material support in the completion of the Chashma Nuclear Power
Complex and plutonium reprocessing facility, which was built in the mid-1990s.[34] China has become
increasing concerned about al-Qaeda linked terrorism originating in Pakistan and sought help to set
up military bases on Pakistani soil to deal with the problem.[35]
On January 26, 2015, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi during a conclusion of a two-day visit
of Raheel Sharif to Beijing called Pakistan China's 'irreplaceable, all-weather friend'. Sharif also
met Yu Zhengsheng, Meng Jianzhu and Xu Qiliang.[36]On April 19, 2015, China concluded sale of
eight conventional submarines worth $5bn, biggest ever arms sale by China in its history.[37]

Economic relations[edit]
See also: China–Pakistan Free Trade Agreement

Zong is Pakistan's first 4G operator

Economic trade between Pakistan and China is increasing at a rapid pace and a free trade
agreement has recently been signed. Military and technological transactions continue to dominate
the economic relationship between the two nations, although in recent years China has pledged to
vastly increase their investment in Pakistan's economy and infrastructure. Among other things,
China has been helping to develop Pakistan's infrastructure through the building of power plants,
roads and communication nodes. Current trade between both countries is at $9 billion, making China
the largest trade partner of Pakistan.[38]
Both countries are keen on strengthening the economic ties between the two, and have promised to
'propel' cross-border trade. This has led to investment in Pakistan's nascent financial and energy
sectors, amidst a surge of Chinese investment designed to strengthen ties. Pakistan has in turn
been granted free trade zones in China.[39]
The economic relationship between Pakistan and China is composed primarily of Chinese
investment in Pakistani interests. China's increasing economic clout has enabled a wide variety of
projects to be sponsored in Pakistan through Chinese credit. Pakistani investment in China is also
encouraged, and cross-border trade remains fluid.[27]
In 2011 China Kingho Group canceled a $19 billion mining deal because of security concerns.[40]
On 26 April, China Mobile announced $1 billion of investment in Pakistan in telecommunication
infrastructure and training of its officials within a period of three years.[41] The announcement came a
day after China Mobile subsidy Zong emerged as the highest bidder in the 3G auction, claiming a
10 MHz 3G band licence, qualifying for the 4G licence.[42]
On 22 April 2015, According to China Daily, China released its first overseas investment project
under the One Belt, One Road for developing a hydropower station near Jhelum.[43]
China–Pakistan Economic Corridor[edit]
Main article: China–Pakistan Economic Corridor
Gwadar Port.

Pak-China Economic Corridor is under construction. It will connect Pakistan with China and the
Central Asian countries with highway connecting Kashgar to Khunjerab and Gwadar.[44] Gwadar
port in southern Pakistan will serve as the trade nerve center for China, as most of its trade
especially that of oil will be done through the port, which is operated by the China Overseas Port
Holding Company, a state-owned Chinese company.[45] Currently, sixty percent of China’s oil must be
transported by ship from the Persian Gulf to the only commercial port in China, Shanghai, a distance
of more than 16,000 kilometres. The journey takes two to three months, during which time the ships
are vulnerable to pirates, bad weather, political rivals and other risks. Using Gwadar port instead
would reduce the distance and possibly the cost. However currently there is no plan to provide an oil
pipeline to China and the Gwadar port lacks the ability to offload or store oil.

Views[edit]
External video

Pakistan lands $46 billion investment from China.

The support with which China and Pakistan give each other is considered significant in global
diplomacy, and has been compared to Israel – United States relations.[46] According to a Pew survey
of Pakistan public opinion in 2010, 84 percent of respondents said they had a favorable view of
China and 16 percent had a favorable view of the United States. These results showed that Pakistan
is the most pro-China country in the world.[dubious – discuss][47] Similarly, the Chinese state-run media has
portrayed Pakistan in a favorable light in regional issues. In 2013, this figure increased to 90% of
Pakistanis having a favorable view of China.[48]
Pakistan and China have long praised the close ties the two countries have with each other. China
has been referred to by Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf as their "time-tested and all-weather
friend", while in return Chinese president Hu Jintao has referred to Pakistan as "a good friend and
partner".[49] These statements are noted by some observers as occurring after Pakistani relations
with the United States or India have become strained, such as after Osama Bin Laden was killed by
American forces without Pakistan's prior permission.[27]
On July 2013, Pew Research Center as part of their Global Attitudes Project declared Pakistan to
have the most positive view of China in the world, according to the research 81% of Pakistanis
responded favorable to China. On the other hand, only 11% of Pakistanis had favorable view
on United States, lowest in the world.[50][51]
Pakistan, with its strategic position, natural resources and warm-water ports, has long been an ally of Beijing. The
Chinese see the south Asian state, the closest they have to a friend both in south Asia and in the Islamic world, as
important to the security and development of their western, predominantly Muslim provinces, and as a useful aide in
efforts to counter the influence of India. In recent years, links have grown closer.
The Guardian[52]
The author of the book The China-Pakistan Axis: Asia's New Geopolitics concludes the book by
connecting the bilateral relationship to broader themes in Chinese foreign policy. According to the
author, on the one hand, Pakistan is both a Chinese pawn (against India) and platform for power
projection, but there are limits to this approach. For instance, as Small notes, 'Beijing's
counterterrorism strategy has been essentially parasitic on the United States being a more important
target for transnational militant groups than China'. It's unclear how long that can last.'[53]
if there were recriminations they were not made public. Indeed China's ties with Pakistan, which were established
during Mao's rule and are based on shared hostility towards India, thrive on many common interests. A long history of
secret deals between their two armies--overrides the problems with Islamic extremism.
Andrew Small, the author of The China-Pakistan Axis: Asia's New Geopolitics[54]

Issues[edit]
The ETIM is a Waziri based mujahedeen organization that is said to be allied with the Taliban,[55] As
these militants are labeled as terrorists from the Chinese province of Xinjiang, Pakistan's inability to
prevent this is a potential source of conflict.[56][57]

Timeline[edit]

Pakistan embassy in Beijing, China.

People Republic of China PRC Tower in Karachi (left) has offices of many Chinese corporations.

Important events:
1950 – Pakistan becomes the third non-communist country, and first Muslim one, to
recognize the People's Republic of China.
1951 – Beijing and Karachi establish diplomatic relations.
1963 – Pakistan cedes the Trans-Karakoram Tract to China, ending border disputes.
1970 – Pakistan helps the U.S. arrange the 1972 Nixon visit to China.
1978 – The Karakoram Highway linking the mountainous Northern Pakistan with Western
China officially opens.
1980s – China and the U.S. provide support through Pakistan to the Afghan
guerillas fighting Soviet forces.
1986 – China and Pakistan reach a comprehensive nuclear co-operation agreement.
1996 – Chinese President Jiang Zemin pays a state visit to Pakistan.
1999 – A 300-megawatt nuclear power plant, built with Chinese help in Punjab province, is
completed.
2001 – A joint-ventured Chinese-Pakistani tank, the MBT-2000 (Al-Khalid) MBT is
completed.
2002 – The building of the Gwadar deep sea port begins, with China as the primary investor.
2003 – Pakistan and China signed a $110 million contract for the construction of a housing
project on Multan Road in Lahore[58]
2007 – The Sino-Pakistani joint-ventured multirole fighter aircraft – the JF-17 Thunder (FC-1
Fierce Dragon) is formally rolled out.
2008 – Pakistan welcomes the Chinese Olympic Torch in an Islamabad sports stadium,
under heavy guard amidst security concerns.[49]
2008 – China and Pakistan sign a free trade agreement.
2008 – Pakistan and China to build a railway through the Karakoram Highway, in order to
link China's rail network to Gwadar Port.
2008 – The F-22P frigate, comes into service with the Pakistani Navy.[59]
2009 – The ISI arrest several suspected Uyghur terrorists seeking refuge in Pakistan.
2010 – Pakistan and China conduct a joint anti-terrorism drill.
2010 – China donates $260 million in dollars to flood hit Pakistan and sends 4 military rescue
helicopters to assist in rescue operations.
2010 – Wen Jiabao visits Pakistan. More than 30 billion dollars worth of deals were signed.[60]
2011 – Pakistan is expected to buy air-to-air SD 10 missiles from China for its 250 JF 17
thunder fighter fleet
2013 – Management of Gwadar port is handed over to state-run Chinese Overseas Port
Holdings after previously being managed by Singapore’s PSA International,[61] and it
becomes a matter of great concern for India.[62]
2013 – Chinese Premier Li Keqiang visits Pakistan. Trade between China and Pakistan hit a
12-month figure of $12 billion for the first time in 2012.[63]
2013 – On 5 July 2013, Pakistan and China approved the Pak-China Economic
corridor which will link Pakistan’s Gwadar Port on the Arabian Sea and Kashghar
in Xinjiang in northwest China. The $18 billion project will also includes the construction of a
200km-long tunnel.[64][65]
2013 – On 24 December 2013, China announced a commitment $6.5 billion to finance the
construction of a major nuclear power project in Karachi, the project which will have two
reactors with a capacity of 1,100 megawatts each.[66]
2014 – Chinese Premier announced investment of $31.5 billion in Pakistan mainly in
countries energy, infrastructure and port expansion for Gwadar. According to The Express
Tribune initially projects worth $15–20 billion will be started which include Lahore-Karachi
motorway, Gwadar Port expansion and energy sector projects will be launched
in Gadani and six coal projects near Thar coalfield. The newspaper further claimed that the
government has also handed over to Pakistan Army the task of providing fool-proof security
to Chinese officials in Balochistan, Pakistan in a bid to address Beijing’s concerns and
execute the investment plan in the province, which will get 38% of the funds.[67]
2014 – On 22 May 2014, The governments of Pakistan and China on Thursday signed an
agreement to start a metro train project in Lahore, Express News reported. The 27.1
kilometres long track – named Orange Line – will be built at the cost of $1.27 billion.[68]
2014 – On 8 November 2014, Pakistan and China signed 19 agreements particularly relating
to China–Pakistan Economic Corridor, China pledged a total investment worth of $42 billion.
While Pakistan pledged to help China in its fight concerning the Xinjiang conflict.[69]
2015 – On 20 April 2015, Chinese President Xi Jinping, accompanied by the First Lady and a
delegation of high-level officials and businessmen, visits Pakistan. It is the first visit to
Pakistan by a Chinese president after a gap of 9 years and the first foreign trip of Xi in 2015.
51 Memorandums of Understanding are signed, including the plan of "Pakistan China
Economic Corridor".[70]
 2015 – Pakistan began circulating the Rs. 20 coin with the Pakistan and China flags to
commemorate the countries' lasting friendship.

India–Pakistan relations
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

India–Pakistan relations

India Pakistan

Diplomatic Mission

High Commission of India, High Commission of Pakistan,

Islamabad New Delhi

Envoy

Indian High Commissioner Pakistan High Commissioner

Gautam Bambawale Abdul Basit

Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi (R) with Prime Minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif in 2014.
Relations between India and Pakistan have been complex due to a number of historical and
political events. Relations between the two states have been defined by the violent partition of British
India in 1947, the Kashmir conflict and the numerous military conflicts fought between the two
nations. Consequently, even though the two South Asian nations share linguistic, cultural,
geographic, and economic links, their relationship has been plagued by hostility and suspicion.
After the dissolution of the British Raj in 1947, two new sovereign nations were formed—
the Dominion of India and the Dominion of Pakistan. The subsequent partition of the former British
India displaced up to 12.5 million people, with estimates of loss of life varying from several hundred
thousand to 1 million.[1]India emerged as a secular nation with a Hindu majority population and a
large Muslim minority, while Pakistan emerged as an Islamic Republic with an overwhelming Muslim
majority population;[2][3] although its constitution guarantees freedom of religion to people of all
faiths.[4]
Soon after their independence, India and Pakistan established diplomatic relations but the violent
partition and numerous territorial claims would overshadow their relationship. Since their
Independence, the two countries have fought three major wars, one undeclared war and have been
involved in numerous armed skirmishes and military standoffs. The Kashmir conflict is the main
centre-point of all of these conflicts with the exception of the Indo-Pakistan War of
1971 and Bangladesh Liberation War, which resulted in the secession of East
Pakistan (now Bangladesh).
There have been numerous attempts to improve the relationship—notably, the Shimla summit,
the Agra summit and the Lahore summit. Since the early 1980s, relations between the two nations
soured particularly after the Siachen conflict, the intensification of Kashmir insurgency in
1989, Indian and Pakistani nuclear tests in 1998 and the 1999 Kargil war. Certain confidence-
building measures — such as the 2003 ceasefire agreement and the Delhi–Lahore Bus service –
were successful in de-escalating tensions. However, these efforts have been impeded by periodic
terrorist attacks. The 2001 Indian Parliament attack almost brought the two nations to the brink of a
nuclear war. The 2007 Samjhauta Express bombings, which killed 68 civilians (most of whom were
Pakistani), was also a crucial point in relations. Additionally, the 2008 Mumbai attacks carried out by
Pakistani militants[5] resulted in a severe blow to the ongoing India-Pakistan peace talks.
After a brief thaw following the election of new governments in both nations, bilateral discussions
again stalled after the 2016 Pathankot attack.[6] In September 2016, a terrorist attack on an Indian
military base in Indian-administered Kashmir, the deadliest such attack in years, killed 19 Indian
Army soldiers. India's claim that the attack had been orchestrated by a Pakistan-
supported jihadist group was denied by Pakistan, which claimed the attack had been a local reaction
to unrest in the region due to excessive force by Indian security personnel. The attack sparked
a military confrontation across the Line of Control, with an escalation in ceasefire violations and
further militant attacks on Indian security forces. As of December 2016, the ongoing confrontation
and an increase in nationalist rhetoric on both sides has resulted in the collapse of bilateral relations,
with little expectation they will recover.[7][8]
Since the election of new governments in both India and Pakistan in the early 2010s, some steps
have been taken to improve relations, in particular developing a consensus on the agreement of
Non-Discriminatory Market Access on Reciprocal Basis (NDMARB) status for each other, which will
liberalize trade.[9] In late 2015, meetings were held between the foreign secretaries and the national
security advisers of both nations, at which both sides agreed to thoroughly discuss hurdles
remaining in the relationship. In November 2015, the new Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and
Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif agreed to the resumption of bilateral talks; the following
month, Prime Minister Modi made a brief, unscheduled visit to Pakistan while en route to India,
becoming the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Pakistan since 2004.[10] Despite those efforts,
relations between the countries have remained frigid, following repeated acts of cross-border
terrorism. According to a 2014 BBC World Service Poll, 17% of Indians view Pakistan's influence
 positively, with 49% expressing a negative view, while 21% of Pakistanis view India's influence
positively, with 58% expressing a negative view.[11]

Contents
[hide]

 1Seeds of conflict during independence

o 1.1Junagadh issue
o 1.2Kashmir conflict
 2Wars, conflicts and disputes
o 2.1War of 1965
o 2.2War of 1971
o 2.3Kargil War
o 2.4Other territorial claims
o 2.5Water disputes
o 2.6Bengal refugee crisis
o 2.7Afghanistan
o 2.8Insurgency in Kashmir
 2.8.1List of some insurgent attacks
o 2.9Insurgent activities elsewhere
 2.9.12001 Indian Parliament attack
 2.9.22001–02 India–Pakistan standoff
 2.9.32007 Samjhauta Express bombings
 2.9.42008 Mumbai attacks
 3Weapons of mass destruction
 4Talks and other confidence building measures
o 4.11990s
o 4.22000s
o 4.32010s
 5Response to natural calamities
o 5.12001 Gujarat earthquake in India
o 5.22005 earthquake in Pakistan
 6Fugitives
 7Social relations
o 7.1Cultural links
o 7.2Geographic links
o 7.3Linguistic ties
o 7.4Matrimonial ties
o 7.5Sporting ties
o 7.6Transport links
o 7.7Diasporic relations
 8Economic relations
o 8.1Trade links
 9Re-evaluation
 10Country comparison
 11See also
o 11.1Foreign relations
o 11.2History
o 11.3Human rights
o 11.4Cultural issues
 o 11.5Terrorism and state disputes
o 11.6Sports
 12References
 13Bibliography
 14Further reading
 15External links

Seeds of conflict during independence

Jinnah and Gandhi engaged in a heated conversation. A well-known photograph recently attributed to Kulwant
Roy.

About half a million Muslims and Hindus were killed in communal riots following the partition of
British India. Millions of Muslims living in India and Hindus and Sikhs living in Pakistan emigrated in
one of the most colossal transfers of population in the modern era. Both countries accused each
other of not providing adequate security to the minorities emigrating through their territory. This
served to increase tensions between the newly-born countries.
According to the British plan for the partition of British India, all the 680 princely states were allowed
to decide which of the two countries to join. With the exception of a few, most of the Muslim-majority
princely-states acceded to Pakistan while most of the Hindu-majority princely states joined India.
However, the decisions of some of the princely-states would shape the Pakistan-India relationship
considerably in the years to come.
Junagadh issue

Junagadh is one of the modern districts of Saurastra, Gujarat

Junagadh was a state on the south-western end of Gujarat, with the principalities
of Manavadar, Mangrol and Babriawad. It was not contiguous to Pakistan and other states physically
separated it from Pakistan. The state had an overwhelming Hindu population which constituted more
than 80% of its citizens, while its ruler, Nawab Mahabat Khan, was a Muslim. Mahabat Khan
acceded to Pakistan on 15 August 1947. Pakistan confirmed the acceptance of the accession on 15
September 1947.
India did not accept the accession as legitimate. The Indian point of view was that Junagadh was not
contiguous to Pakistan, that the Hindu majority of Junagadh wanted it to be a part of India, and that
the state was surrounded by Indian territory on three sides.
The Pakistani point of view was that since Junagadh had a ruler and governing body who chose to
accede to Pakistan, it should be allowed to do so. Also, because Junagadh had a coastline, it could
have maintained maritime links with Pakistan even as an enclave within India.
Neither of the states was able to resolve this issue amicably and it only added fuel to an already
charged environment. Sardar Patel, India's Home Minister, felt that if Junagadh was permitted to go
to Pakistan, it would create communal unrest across Gujarat. The government of India gave
Pakistan time to void the accession and hold a plebiscite in Junagadh to pre-empt any violence in
Gujarat. Samaldas Gandhi formed a government-in-exile, the Arzi Hukumat (in Urdu: Arzi:
Transitional, Hukumat: Government) of the people of Junagadh. Patel ordered the annexation of
Junagadh's three principalities.
India cut off supplies of fuel and coal to Junagadh, severed air and postal links, sent troops to the
frontier, and occupied the principalities of Mangrol and Babariawad that had acceded to India.[12] On
26 October, Nawab of Junagadh and his family fled to Pakistan following clashes with Indian troops.
On 7 November, Junagadh's court, facing collapse, invited the Government of India to take over the
State's administration. The Dewan of Junagadh, Sir Shah Nawaz Bhutto, the father of the more
famous Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, decided to invite the Government of India to intervene and wrote a letter
to Mr. Buch, the Regional Commissioner of Saurashtra in the Government of India to this
effect.[13] The Government of Pakistan protested. The Government of India rejected the protests of
Pakistan and accepted the invitation of the Dewan to intervene.[14] Indian troops occupied Junagadh
on 9 November 1947. In February 1948, a plebiscite held almost unanimously voted for accession to
India.
Kashmir conflict
Main article: Kashmir conflict
Kashmir was a Muslim-majority princely state, ruled by a Hindu king, Maharaja Hari Singh. At the
time of the partition of India, Maharaja Hari Singh, the ruler of the state, preferred to remain
independent and did not want to join either the Union of India or the Dominion of Pakistan. He
wanted both India and Pakistan to recognise his princely state as an independent neutral country.[15]
Despite the standstill agreement with Pakistan, team of Pakistani forces were dispatched into
Kashmir in response to the Hindu Maharajah's attempted genocide of Muslims in the state. The
Maharajah of Kashmir attempted to change the predominantly Muslim demographics of his state by
engaging in an ethnic cleansing of Muslims from the Jammu section of his state,[16] as his state
forces massacred thousands of Muslims in Jammu and expelled thousands more from their homes
in an effort to shift the population ratio in favour of Hindus.[17] This precipitated a revolt by the
Muslims in the Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir against the Hindu Maharajah.[18] Backed by
Pakistani paramilitary forces, Pashtun Mehsud tribals[19] invaded Kashmir in October 1947 under the
code name "Operation Gulmarg" to seize Kashmir. They reached and captured Baramulla on 25
October. Instead of moving on to Srinagar just 50 km away and capturing its undefended airfield,
they stayed there for several days. Kashmir's security forces turned out to be too weak and ill-
equipped to fight against Pakistan. Fearing that this invasion would bring about an accession to
Pakistan, the Maharaja now turned to India and requested India for troops to safeguard Kashmir.
Indian Prime Minister Nehru was ready to send the troops, but the acting Governor General of
India, Lord Mountbatten of Burma, advised the Maharaja to accede to India before India could send
its troops. Hence, considering the emergent situation he signed the instrument of accession to the
Union of India on 26 October 1947 (see the two-page document's photo below).
Charles Chevenix Trench writes in his 'The Frontier Scouts' (1985):
In October 1947... tribal lashkars hastened in lorries - undoubtedly with official logistic support - into
Kashmir... at least one British Officer, Harvey-Kelly took part in the campaign. It seemed that nothing
could stop these hordes of tribesmen taking Srinagar with its vital airfield. Indeed nothing did, but
their own greed. The Mahsuds in particular stopped to loot, rape and murder; Indian troops were
flown in and the lashkars pushed out of the Vale of Kashmir into the mountains. The Mahsuds
returned home in a savage mood, having muffed an easy chance, lost the loot of Srinagar and made
fools of themselves.

In the words of General Mohammad Akbar Khan (Brigadier-in-Charge, Pakistan, in his book "War for
Kashmir in 1947"): "The uncouth raiders delayed in Baramulla for two (whole) days for some
unknown reason."[20]
While the invading Pakistanis spread across the State and looted Baramulla town just 50 km from
the state capital, Srinagar, for several days starting 25 October 1947, the Maharaja
signed Instrument of Accession to the Dominion of India on 26 October 1947. Sheikh Mohammad
Abdullah had already reached Delhi a day earlier on 25 October to persuade Nehru to send troops.
He made no secret of the danger the State faced and asked Nehru to lose no time in accepting the
accession and ensuring the speedy dispatch of Indian troops to the State. (Sheikh Abdullah
corroborates this account in his Aatish-e-Chinaar (at pages 416 and 417) and records (at page 417)
that V.P. Menon returned to Delhi on 26 October with signed Instrument of accession.)[21] The
Instrument was accepted by the Governor-General of India the next day, 27 October 1947. With this
signing by the Maharaja and acceptance by the Governor-General, the princely state of Jammu and
Kashmir became a part of Dominion of India as per the Indian Independence Act 1947 passed by
the British parliament.
By this time the raiders were close to the capital, Srinagar Indian troops were airlifted from Delhi,
landed at Srinagar airport in Kashmir on 27 October 1947 and secured the airport before proceeding
to evict the invaders from Kashmir valley.
The Indian troops managed to evict the aggressors from parts of Kashmir but the onset of winter
made much of the state impassable. After weeks of intense fighting between Pakistan and India,
Pakistani leaders and the Indian Prime Minister Nehru declared a ceasefire and
sought U.N. arbitration with the promise of a plebiscite. In 1957, north-western Kashmir was fully
integrated into Pakistan, becoming Azad Kashmir (Pakistan-administered Kashmir). In 1962, China
occupied Aksai Chin, the north-eastern region bordering Ladakh. In 1984, India launched Operation
Meghdoot and captured more than 80% of the Siachen Glacier.
Pakistan now maintains Kashmiris' right to self-determination through a plebiscite and the promised
plebiscite should be allowed to decide the fate of the Kashmiri people. India on the other hand
asserts that with the Maharaja's signing the instrument of accession, Kashmir has become an
integral part of India.
Due to all such political differences, this territorial claim has been the subject of wars between the
two countries in 1947 and 1965, and a limited conflict in 1999. The state remains divided between
the two countries by the Line of Control (LoC), which demarcates the ceasefire line agreed upon in
the 1947 conflict modified in 1972 as per Simla Agreement.

Wars, conflicts and disputes

[show]

 v
 t
  e
Indo-Pakistani conflicts
Main article: Indo-Pakistani wars and conflicts
Further information: Indo-Pakistani War of 1947, Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, Indo-Pakistani War of
1971, Kargil War, Siachen conflict, and Insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir
India and Pakistan have fought in numerous armed conflicts since their independence. There are
three major wars that have taken place between the two states, namely in 1947, 1965 and the
Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971. In addition to this was the unofficial Kargil War and some border
skirmishes.
War of 1965
Main article: Indo-Pakistani War of 1965

This section needs expansion. You

can help by adding to it. (July 2013)

The Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 started following Pakistan's Operation Gibraltar, which was
designed to infiltrate forces into Jammu and Kashmir to precipitate an insurgency against rule by
India.[22] The five-week war caused thousands of casualties on both sides. Most of the battles were
fought by opposing infantry and armoured units, with substantial backing from air forces, and naval
operations. It ended in a United Nations (UN) mandated ceasefire and the subsequent issuance of
the Tashkent Declaration.
War of 1971

Pakistan's Lt Gen Niazi(sitting second from right) signing the Instrument of Surrender, following the defeat of
Pakistan in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971.

Main articles: Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 and Bangladesh Liberation War

This section needs expansion. You

can help by adding to it. (July 2013)

Pakistan, since independence, was geo-politically divided into two major regions, West
Pakistan and East Pakistan. East Pakistan was occupied mostly by Bengali people. In December
1971, following a political crisis in East Pakistan, the situation soon spiralled out of control in East
Pakistan and India intervened in favour of the rebelling Bengali populace. The conflict, a brief but
bloody war, resulted in an independence of East Pakistan. In the war, the Pakistani army swiftly fell
to India, forcing the independence of East Pakistan, which separated and became Bangladesh.
Kargil War
Main article: Kargil War

This section needs expansion. You

can help by adding to it. (July 2013)

During the winter months of 1998-99, the Indian army vacated its posts at very high peaks
in Kargil sector in Kashmir as it used to do every year. Pakistani Army intruded across the line of
control and occupied the posts. Indian army discovered this in May 1999 when the snow thawed.
This resulted in intense fighting between Indian and Pakistani forces, known as the Kargil conflict.
Backed by the Indian Air Force, the Indian Army regained some of the posts that Pakistan has
occupied. Pakistan later withdrew from the remaining portion under international pressure.
Other territorial claims
This section needs expansion. You
can help by adding to it. (March 2013)

The relations are locked in other territorial claims such as the Siachen Glacier and Kori Creek.
Water disputes
The Indus Waters Treaty governs the rivers that flow from India into Pakistan. Water is cited as one
possible cause for a conflict between the two nations, but to date issues such as the Nimoo Bazgo
Project have been resolved through diplomacy.[23]
Bengal refugee crisis
Further information: East Bengali refugees
In 1949, India recorded close to 1 million Hindu refugees, who flooded into West Bengal and other
states from East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), owing to communal violence, intimidation and
repression from authorities. The plight of the refugees outraged Hindus and Indian nationalists, and
the refugee population drained the resources of Indian states, which were unable to absorb them.
While not ruling out war, Prime Minister Nehru and Sardar Patel invited Liaquat Ali Khan for talks in
Delhi. Although many Indians termed this appeasement, Nehru signed a pact with Liaquat Ali Khan
that pledged both nations to the protection of minorities and creation of minority commissions. Khan
and Nehru also signed a trade agreement, and committed to resolving bilateral conflicts through
peaceful means. Steadily, hundreds of thousands of Hindus returned to East Pakistan, but the thaw
in relations did not last long, primarily owing to the Kashmir conflict.
Afghanistan
Further information: Afghanistan–India relations and Afghanistan–Pakistan relations
After the Taliban defeated the Northern Alliance in much of Afghanistan in 1996 in civil war, the
Taliban regime was strongly supported by Pakistan – one of the three countries to do so – before
the 11 September attacks. India firmly opposed the Taliban and criticised Pakistan for supporting it.
India established its links with Northern Alliance as India officially recognised their government, with
the United Nations. India's relations with Afghanistan, Pakistan's neighbour, and its increasing
presence there has irked Pakistan.
The 2008 Indian embassy bombing in Kabul was a suicide bomb terror attack on the Indian
embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan on 7 July 2008 at 8:30 AM local time.[24] US intelligence officials
suggested that Pakistan's ISI intelligence agency had planned the attack.[25] Pakistan tried to deny
any responsibility,[25][26] but United States President George W. Bush confronted Pakistani Prime
Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani with evidence and warned him that in the case of another such attack
he would have to take "serious action".[27]
Pakistan has been accused by India, Afghanistan, the United States,[28][29] and the United
Kingdom,[30] of involvement in terrorism in Kashmir and Afghanistan.[31] In July 2009,
current President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari admitted that the Pakistani government had "created
and nurtured" terrorist groups to achieve its short-term foreign policy goals.[32]According to an
analysis published by Saban Centre for Middle East Policy at Brookings Institution in 2008 Pakistan
was the world's "most active" state sponsor of terrorism including aiding groups and Pakistan has
long aided a range of terrorist groups fighting against India in Kashmir and is a major sponsor of
Taliban forces fighting the U.S.-backed government in Afghanistan.[33]
Insurgency in Kashmir
Main article: Insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir
According to some reports published by the Council of Foreign Relations, the Pakistan military and
the ISI have provided covert support to terrorist groups active in Kashmir, including the al-
Qaeda affiliate Jaish-e-Mohammed.[34][35] Pakistan has denied any involvement in terrorist activities
in Kashmir, arguing that it only provides political and moral support to the secessionist groups who
wish to escape Indian rule. Many Kashmiri militant groups also maintain their headquarters
in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, which is cited as further proof by the Indian government.
Author Gordon Thomas stated that Pakistan "still sponsored terrorist groups in the state of Kashmir,
funding, training and arming them in their war on attrition against India."[36] Journalist Stephen
Suleyman Schwartz notes that several militant and criminal groups are "backed by senior officers in
the Pakistani army, the country's ISI intelligence establishment and other armed bodies of the
state."[37]
List of some insurgent attacks
Insurgents attack on Jammu and Kashmir State Assembly: A car bomb exploded near the Jammu
and Kashmir State Assembly on 1 October 2001, killing 27 people on an attack that was blamed on
Kashmiri separatists. It was one of the most prominent attacks against India apart from on the Indian
Parliament in December 2001. The dead bodies of the terrorists and the data recovered from them
revealed that Pakistan was solely responsible for the activity.[2]

 1997 Sangrampora massacre: On 21 March 1997, 7 Kashmiri Pandits were killed in

Sangrampora village in the Budgam district.
 Wandhama Massacre: In January 1998, 24 Kashmiri Pandits living in the city Wandhama were
killed by nonsense Islamic terrorists.
 Qasim Nagar Attack: On 13 July 2003, armed men believed to be a part of the Lashkar-e-
Toiba threw hand grenades at the Qasim Nagar market in Srinagar and then fired on civilians
standing nearby killing twenty-seven and injuring many more.[3]
 Assassination of Abdul Ghani Lone: Abdul Ghani Lone, a prominent All Party Hurriyat
Conference leader, was assassinated by an unidentified gunmen during a memorial rally
in Srinagar. The assassination resulted in wide-scale demonstrations against the Indian
occupied-forces for failing to provide enough security cover for Mr. Lone.[4]
 20 July 2005 Srinagar Bombing: A car bomb exploded near an armoured Indian Army vehicle in
the famous Church Lane area in Srinagar killing four Indian Army personnel, one civilian and the
suicide bomber. Terrorist group Hizbul Mujahideen, claimed responsibility for the attack.[5]
 Budshah Chowk attack: A terrorist attack on 29 July 2005 at Srinigar's city centre, Budshah
Chowk, killed two and left more than 17 people injured. Most of those injured were media
journalists.[6]
 Murder of Ghulam Nabi Lone: On 18 October 2005, a suspected man killed Jammu and
Kashmir's then education minister Ghulam Nabi Lone. No Terrorist group claimed responsibility
for the attack.[7]
 2016 Uri attack: A terrorist attack by four heavily armed terrorists on 18 September 2016, near
the town of Uri in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, killed 18 and left more than 20 people
injured. It was reported as "the deadliest attack on security forces in Kashmir in two decades".[38]
Insurgent activities elsewhere
The attack on the Indian Parliament was by far the most dramatic attack carried out allegedly by
Pakistani terrorists. India blamed Pakistan for carrying out the attacks, an allegation which Pakistan
strongly denied and one that brought both nations to the brink of a nuclear confrontation in 2001–02.
However, international peace efforts ensured the cooling of tensions between the two nuclear-
capable nations.
Apart from this, the most notable was the hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight IC 814 en route New
Delhi from Kathmandu, Nepal. The plane was hijacked on 24 December 1999 approximately one
hour after take off and was taken to Amritsar airport and then to Lahore in Pakistan. After refueling
the plane took off for Dubai and then finally landed in Kandahar, Afghanistan. Under intense media
pressure, New Delhi complied with the hijackers' demand and freed Maulana Masood Azhar from its
captivity in return for the freedom of the Indian passengers on the flight. The decision, however, cost
New Delhi dearly. Maulana, who is believed to be hiding in Karachi, later became the leader
of Jaish-e-Mohammed, an organisation which has carried out several terrorist acts against Indian
security forces in Kashmir.[8]
On 22 December 2000, a group of terrorists belonging to the Lashkar-e-Toiba stormed the
famous Red Fort in New Delhi. The Fort houses an Indian military unit and a high-security
interrogation cell used both by the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Indian Army. The
terrorists successfully breached the security cover around the Red Fort and opened fire at the Indian
military personnel on duty killing two of them on spot. The attack was significant because it was
carried out just two days after the declaration of the cease-fire between India and Pakistan.[9]
In 2002, India claimed again that terrorists from Jammu and Kashmir were infiltrating into India, a
claim denied by Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf, who claimed that such infiltration had
stopped—India's spokesperson for the External Affairs Ministry did away with Pakistan's claim,
calling it "terminological inexactitude."[39] Only two months later, two Kashmiri terrorists belonging
to Jaish-e-Mohammed raided the Swami Narayan temple complex in Ahmedabad, Gujarat killing 30
people, including 18 women and five children. The attack was carried out on 25 September 2002,
just few days after state elections were held in Jammu and Kashmir. Two identical letters found on
both the terrorists claimed that the attack was done in retaliation for the deaths of thousands of
Muslims during the Gujarat riots.[10]
Two car bombs exploded in south Mumbai on 25 August 2003; one near the Gateway of India and
the other at the famous Zaveri Bazaar, killing at least 48 and injuring 150 people. Though no terrorist
group claimed responsibility for the attacks, Mumbai Police and RAW suspected Lashkar-e-Toiba's
hand in the twin blasts.[11]
In an unsuccessful attempt, six terrorists belonging to Lashkar-e-Toiba, stormed the Ayodhya Ram
Janmbhomi complex on 5 July 2005. Before the terrorists could reach the main disputed site, they
were shot down by Indian security forces. One Hindu worshipper and two policemen were injured
during the incident.[12]
The Indian intelligence agency RAW is claimed to be working in cover to malign Pakistan and train &
support insurgents for Balochistan conflict.[40][41][42][43]
2001 Indian Parliament attack
Main article: 2001 Indian Parliament attack
The 2001 Indian Parliament attack was an attack at the Parliament of India in New Delhi on 13
December 2001, during which fourteen people, including the five men who attacked the building,
were killed. The perpetrators were Lashkar-e-Taiba (Let) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM)
terrorists.[44][45] The attack led to the deaths of five terrorists, six Delhi Police personnel, two
Parliament Security Service personnel and a gardener, in total 14[46] and to increased tensions
between India and Pakistan, resulting in the 2001–02 India–Pakistan standoff.[47]
2001–02 India–Pakistan standoff
Main article: 2001–2002 India–Pakistan standoff
The 2001–2002 India–Pakistan standoff was a military standoff between India and Pakistan that
resulted in the massing of troops on either side of the border and along the Line of Control (LoC) in
the region of Kashmir. This was the first major military standoff between India and Pakistan since
the Kargil War in 1999. The military buildup was initiated by India responding to a 2001 Indian
Parliament attack and the 2001 Jammu and Kashmir legislative assembly attack.[48] India claimed
that the attacks were carried out by two Pakistan-based terror groups fighting
Indian administered Kashmir, the Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad, both of whom India has
said are backed by Pakistan's ISI[49] a charge that Pakistan denied.[50][51][52] Tensions de-escalated
following international diplomatic mediation which resulted in the October 2002 withdrawal of
Indian[53] and Pakistani troops[54] from the international border.
2007 Samjhauta Express bombings
Main article: 2007 Samjhauta Express bombings
The 2007 Samjhauta Express bombings was a terrorist attack targeted on the Samjhauta
Express train on 18 February. The Samjhauta Express is an international train that runs from New
Delhi, India to Lahore, Pakistan, and is one of two trains to cross the India-Pakistan border. At least
68 people were killed, mostly Pakistani civilians but also some Indian security personnel and
civilians.[55]
2008 Mumbai attacks
Main article: 2008 Mumbai attacks
The 2008 Mumbai attacks by ten Pakistani terrorists killed over 173 and wounded 308. The sole
surviving gunman Ajmal Kasab who was arrested during the attacks was found to be a Pakistani
national. This fact was acknowledged by Pakistani authorities.[56] In May 2010, an Indian court
convicted him on four counts of murder, waging war against
India, conspiracy and terrorism offences, and sentenced him to death.[57]
India blamed the Lashkar-e-Taiba, a Pakistan-based militant group, for planning and executing the
attacks. Islamabad resisted the claims and demanded evidence. India provided evidence in the form
of interrogations, weapons, candy wrappers, Pakistani Brand Milk Packets, and telephone
sets.[58] Indian officials demanded Pakistan extradite suspects for trial. They also said that, given the
sophistication of the attacks, the perpetrators "must have had the support of some official agencies
in Pakistan".[59]

Weapons of mass destruction

See also: India and weapons of mass destruction, Pakistan and weapons of mass destruction,
and nuclear race
India has a long history of development of nuclear weapons.[60] Origins of India's nuclear program
dates back to 1944, when started its nuclear program soon after its independence.[60] In the 1940s–
1960s, India's nuclear program slowly matured towards militarisation and expanded the nuclear
power infrastructure throughout the country.[60] Decisions on the development of nuclear weapons
were made by Indian political leaders after the Chinese invasion and territorial annexation
of northern India. In 1967, India's nuclear program was aimed at the development of nuclear
weapons, with Indira Gandhi carefully overseeing the development of weapons.[61] In 1971, India
gained military and political momentum over Pakistan, after a successful military campaign against
Pakistan. Starting preparations for a nuclear test in 1972, India finally exploded its first nuclear bomb
in Pokhran test range, codename Smiling Buddha, in 1974.[61] During the 1980s–90s, India began
development of space and nuclear rockets, which marked Pakistan's efforts to engage in the space
race with India.[62]Pakistan's own program developed space and nuclear missiles and began
unmanned flight tests of its space vehicles in the mid-1990s, which continues in the present.[62]
After the defeat in the Indo-Pakistani war of 1971, Pakistan launched its own nuclear bomb program
in 1972, and accelerated its efforts in 1974, after India exploded its first nuclear bomb in Pokhran
test range, codename Smiling Buddha.[61][63] This large-scale nuclear bomb program was directly in
response to India's nuclear program.[64] In 1983, Pakistan achieved a major milestone in its efforts
after it covertly performed a series of non-fission tests, codename Kirana-I. No official
announcements of such cold tests were made by Pakistan government.[64] Over the next several
years, Pakistan expanded and modernized nuclear power projects around the country to supply its
electricity sector and to provide back-up support and benefit to its national economy. In 1988, a
mutual understanding was reached between the two countries in which each pledged not to attack
nuclear facilities. Agreements on cultural exchanges and civil aviation were also initiated, also in
1988.[64] Finally, in 1998, India exploded its second nuclear test (see: Pokhran-II) which invited
Pakistan to follow the latter's step and performed its own atomic tests (see:Chagai-I and Chagai-II).

Talks and other confidence building measures

After the 1971 war, Pakistan and India made slow progress towards the normalisation of relations. In
July 1972, Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Pakistani President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto met in the
Indian hill station of Simla. They signed the Simla Agreement, by which India would return all
Pakistani personnel (over 90,000) and captured territory in the west, and the two countries would
"settle their differences by peaceful means through bilateral negotiations." Diplomatic and trade
relations were also re-established in 1976.
1990s
In 1997, high-level Indo-Pakistan talks resumed after a three-year pause. The Prime Ministers of
Pakistan and India met twice and the foreign secretaries conducted three rounds of talks. In June
1997, the foreign secretaries identified eight "outstanding issues" around which continuing talks
would be focused. The conflict over the status of Kashmir, (referred by India as Jammu and
Kashmir), an issue since Independence, remains the major stumbling block in their dialogue. India
maintains that the entire former princely state is an integral part of the Indian union, while Pakistan
insists that UN resolutions calling for self-determination of the people of the state/province must be
taken into account. It however refuses to abide by the previous part of the resolution, which calls for
it to vacate all territories occupied.
In September 1997, the talks broke down over the structure of how to deal with the issues of
Kashmir, and peace and security. Pakistan advocated that the issues be treated by
separate working groups. India responded that the two issues be taken up along with six others on a
simultaneous basis.
Attempts to restart dialogue between the two nations were given a major boost by the February 1999
meeting of both Prime Ministers in Lahore and their signing of three agreements.
A subsequent military coup in Pakistan that overturned the democratically elected Nawaz
Sharif government in October of the same year also proved a setback to relations.
2000s
In 2001, a summit was called in Agra; Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf turned up to meet
Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee. The talks fell through.
On 20 June 2004, with a new government in place in India, both countries agreed to extend
a nuclear testing ban and to set up a hotline between their foreign secretaries aimed at preventing
misunderstandings that might lead to a nuclear war.[65]
Baglihar Dam issue was a new issue raised by Pakistan in 2005.
After Dr. Manmohan Singh become prime minister of India in May 2004, the Punjab provincial
Government declared it would develop Gah, his place of birth, as a model village in his honour and
name a school after him.[66] There is also a village in India named Pakistan, despite occasional
pressure over the years to change its name the villagers have resisted.[67] Violent activities in the
region declined in 2004. There are two main reasons for this: warming of relations between New
Delhi and Islamabad which consequently lead to a ceasefire between the two countries in 2003 and
the fencing of the LOC being carried out by the Indian Army. Moreover, coming under intense
international pressure, Islamabad was compelled to take actions against the militants' training camps
on its territory. In 2004, the two countries also agreed upon decreasing the number of troops present
in the region.
Under pressure, Kashmiri militant organisations made an offer for talks and negotiations with New
Delhi, which India welcomed.
India's Border Security Force blamed the Pakistani military for providing cover-fire for the terrorists
whenever they infiltrated into Indian territory from Pakistan. Pakistan in turn has also blamed India
for providing support to terrorist organisations operating in Pakistan such as the BLA.
In 2005, Pakistan's information minister, Sheikh Rashid, was alleged to have run a terrorist training
camp in 1990 in N.W. Frontier, Pakistan. The Pakistani government dismissed the charges against
its minister as an attempt to hamper the ongoing peace process between the two neighbours.
Both India and Pakistan have launched several mutual confidence-building measures (CBMs) to
ease tensions between the two. These include more high-level talks, easing visa restrictions, and
restarting of cricket matches between the two. The new bus service
between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad has also helped bring the two sides closer. Pakistan and India
have also decided to co-operate on economic fronts.
Some improvements in the relations are seen with the re-opening of a series of transportation
networks near the India–Pakistan border, with the most important being bus routes and railway lines.
A major clash between Indian security forces and militants occurred when a group of insurgents tried
to infiltrate into Kashmir from Pakistan in July 2005. The same month also saw a Kashmiri militant
attack on Ayodhya and Srinagar. However, these developments had little impact on the peace
process.
An Indian man held in Pakistani prisons since 1975 as an accused spy walked across the border to
freedom 3 March 2008, an unconditional release that Pakistan said was done to improve relations
between the two countries.[68]
In 2006, a "Friends Without Borders" scheme began with the help of two British tourists. The idea
was that Indian and Pakistani children would make pen pals and write friendly letters to each other.
The idea was so successful in both countries that the organisation found it "impossible to keep up".
The World's Largest Love Letter was recently sent from India to Pakistan.[69]
2010s
In December 2010, several Pakistani newspapers published stories about India's leadership and
relationship with militants in Pakistan that the papers claimed were found in the United States
diplomatic cables leak. A British newspaper, The Guardian, which had the Wikileaks cables in its
possession reviewed the cables and concluded that the Pakistani claims were "not accurate" and
that "WikiLeaks [was] being exploited for propaganda purposes."[70]
On 10 February 2011, India agreed to resume talks with Pakistan which were suspended after 26/11
Mumbai Attacks.[71]India had put on hold all the diplomatic relations saying it will only continue if
Pakistan will act against the accused of Mumbai attacks.
On 13 April 2012 following a thaw in relations whereby India gained MFN status in the country, India
announced the removal of restrictions on FDI investment from Pakistan to India.[72]
The Foreign Minister of Pakistan on 11 July 2012, stated in Pnom Penh that her country is willing to
resolve some of the disputes like, Sir Creek and Siachan on the basis of agreements reached in
past.[73] On 7 September 2012, Indian External Affairs Minister would pay 3-day visit to Pakistan to
review the progress of bilateral dialogue with his Pakistani counterpart.[74]

Response to natural calamities

2001 Gujarat earthquake in India
In response to the 2001 Gujarat earthquake, Pakistani President Pervez Mushrraf sent a plane load
of relief supplies to India from Islamabad to Ahmedabad.[75] That carried 200 tents and more than
2,000 blankets.[76] Furthermore, the President called Indian PM to express his 'sympathy' over the
loss from the earthquake.[77]
2005 earthquake in Pakistan
India offered generous aid to Pakistan in response to the 2005 Kashmir earthquake on 8 October.
Indian and Pakistani High Commissioners consulted with one another regarding cooperation in relief
work. India sent 25 tonnes of relief material to Pakistan including food, blankets and medicine. Large
Indian companies such as Infosys have offered aid up to $226,000. On 12 October, an Ilyushin-
76 cargo plane ferried across seven truckloads (about 82 tons) of army medicines, 15,000 blankets
and 50 tents and returned to New Delhi. A senior airforce official also stated that they had been
asked by the Indian government to be ready to fly out another similar consignment.[78] On 14
October, India dispatched the second consignment of relief material to Pakistan, by train through
the Wagah Border. The consignment included 5,000 blankets, 370 tents, 5 tons of plastic sheets and
12 tons of medicine. A third consignment of medicine and relief material was also sent shortly
afterwards by train.[79] India also pledged $25 million as aid to Pakistan.[80] India opened the first of
three points at Chakan Da Bagh, in Poonch, on the Line of Control (LoC) between India and
Pakistan for the 2005 Kashmir earthquake relief work. (Rediff) Such generous gestures signalled a
new era of confidence, friendliness and cooperation between both India and Pakistan.

Fugitives
India has accused some of the most wanted Indian fugitives, such as Dawood Ibrahim, of having a
presence in Pakistan. On 11 May 2011, India released a list of 50 "Most Wanted Fugitives" hiding in
Pakistan. This was to tactically pressure Pakistan after the killing of Osama bin Laden in
his compound in Abbottabad.[81]
After two errors in the list received publicity, the Central Bureau of Investigation removed it from their
website pending a review.[82] After this incident the Pakistani interior ministry rejected the list of 50
Most Wanted men forwarded by India to Islamabad, saying it should first probe if those named in the
list were even living in the country.[83]

Social relations
Cultural links
India and Pakistan, to some degree have similar cultures, cuisines and languages which underpin
the historical ties between the two. Pakistani singers, musicians, comedians and entertainers have
enjoyed widespread popularity in India, with many achieving overnight fame in the Indian film
industry Bollywood. Likewise, Indian music and film are very popular in Pakistan. Being located in
the northernmost region of the South Asia, Pakistan's culture is somewhat similar to that of North
India, especially the northwest India.
The Punjab region was split into Punjab, Pakistan and Punjab, India following the independence and
partition of the two countries in 1947. The Punjabi people are today the largest ethnic group in
Pakistan and also an important ethnic group of northern India. The founder of Sikhism was born in
the modern-day Pakistani Punjab province, in the city of Nankana Sahib. Each year, millions of
Indian Sikh pilgrims cross over to visit holy Sikh sites in Nankana Sahib. The Sindhi people are the
native ethnic group of the Pakistani province of Sindh. Many Hindu Sindhis migrated to India in
1947, making the country home to a sizable Sindhi community. In addition, the millions of Muslims
who migrated from India to the newly created Pakistan during independence came to be known as
the Muhajir people; they are settled predominantly in Karachi and still maintain family links in India.
Relations between Pakistan and India have also resumed through platforms such as media and
communications. Aman ki Asha is a joint venture and campaign between The Times of India and
the Jang Group calling for mutual peace and development of diplomatic and cultural relations.
Geographic links
Main article: Indo-Pakistani border

The evening flag lowering ceremony at the India-Pakistan International Border near Wagah.

The Indo-Pakistani border is the official international boundary that demarcates the Indian states of
Punjab, Rajasthan and Gujarat from the Pakistani provinces of Punjab and Sindh.
The Wagah border is the only road crossing between India and Pakistan and lies on the
famous Grand Trunk Road, connecting Lahore, Pakistan with Amritsar, India. Each evening,
the Wagah border ceremony takes place at the Wagah border in which the flags are lowered and
guards on both sides make a pompous military display and exchange handshakes.
Linguistic ties
Hindustani is the linga franca of North India and Pakistan, as well as the national language of both
countries, under the standard registers Hindi and Urdu, respectively. Standard Urdu is mutually
intelligible with Standard Hindi.
Apart from Hindustani, India and Pakistan also share a distribution of the Punjabi language (written
in the Gurmukhi script in Indian Punjab, and the Shahmukhi script in Pakistani Punjab), Kashmiri
language and Sindhi language, mainly due to population exchange. These languages belong to a
common Indo-Aryan family that are spoken in countries across the subcontinent.
Matrimonial ties
Some Indian and Pakistani people marry across the border, particularly with present generation of
relatives who had migrated from India at the time of partition.
In April 2010 a high-profile Pakistani cricketer, Shoaib Malik married the Indian tennis star Sania
Mirza.[84] The wedding received much media attention and was said to transfix both India and
Pakistan.[85]
Sporting ties
Main article: Sports diplomacy § Cricket
See also: India versus Pakistan cricket rivalry
Cricket and hockey matches between the two (as well as other sports to a lesser degree such as
those of the SAARC games) have often been political in nature. During the Soviet invasion of
Afghanistan General Zia-ul Haq traveled to India for a bout of "cricket diplomacy" to keep India from
supporting the Soviets by opening another front. Pervez Musharaff also tried to do the same more
than a decade later but to no avail.
In tennis, Rohan Bopanna of India and Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi of Pakistan have formed a successful
duo and have been dubbed as the "Indo-Pak Express."[86]
Transport links
Main article: Transport between India and Pakistan

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Diasporic relations
The large size of the Indian diaspora and Pakistani diaspora in many different countries throughout
the world has created strong diasporic relations. British Indians and British Pakistanis, the largest
and second-largest ethnic minorities living in the United Kingdom respectively, are said to have
friendly relations with one another.[87][88] It is quite common for a "Little India" and a "Little Pakistan" to
co-exist in South Asian ethnic enclaves in overseas countries. There are various cities such
as Birmingham, Blackburn and Manchester where British Indians and British Pakistanis live
alongside each other in peace and harmony. Both Indians and Pakistanis living in the UK fit under
the category of British Asian. The UK is also home to the Pakistan & India friendship forum.[89] In the
United States, Indians and Pakistanis are classified under the South Asian American category and
share many cultural traits. The British MEP Sajjad Karim is of Pakistani origin. He is a member of the
European Parliament Friends of India Group, Karim was also responsible for opening up Europe to
free trade with India.[90][91] He narrowly escaped the Mumbai attacks at Hotel Taj in November 2008.
Despite the atrocity, Mr Karim does not wish the remaining killer Ajmal Kasab to be sentenced to
death. He said: "I believe he had a fair and transparent trial and I support the guilty verdict. But I am
not a supporter of capital punishment. I believe he should be given a life sentence, but that life
should mean life."

Economic relations
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Trade links
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can help by adding to it. (April 2014)
Trade across direct routes has been curtailed formally,[92] so the bulk of India-Pakistan trade is routed
through Dubai.[93]

Re-evaluation
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The insurgents who initially started their movement as a pro-Kashmiri independence movement,
have gone through a lot of change in their ideology. Most of the insurgents portray their struggle as a
religious one.
Indian analysts allege that by supporting these insurgents, Pakistan is trying to wage a proxy
war against India while Pakistan claims that it regards most of these insurgent groups as "freedom
fighters" rather than terrorists
Internationally known to be the most deadly theatre of conflict, nearly 6 million people,
including Muslims, Hindus, and Buddhists, have been fighting a daily battle for survival. The cross-
border firing between India and Pakistan, and the terrorist attacks combined have taken its toll on
the Kashmiris, who have suffered poor living standards and an erosion of human rights.

Country comparison

India Pakistan

Population 1,337,365,118[94] 199,085,847 (2016 estimate)

Area 3,287,240 km² (1,269,210 sq mi) 881,913 km² (307,374 sq mi)

Population
452/km²[95] 260.8/km² (555/sq mi)
density

Capital New Delhi Islamabad

Largest city Mumbai Karachi

Government Federal republic, Parliamentary democracy Islamic Parliamentary democracy

Hindi, English and 20 other official languages Urdu, English

Official
languages

80.5% Hinduism, 13.4% Islam, 2.3% 95-98% Islam (80-95% Sunni, 5-

Main religions Christianity, 1.9% Sikhism, 0.8% Buddhism, 20% Shi'a), 1.6% Christianity,
0.4% Jainism (2001 Census)[96] 1.6% Hinduism, others

GDP (nominal) $2.384 trillion ($1,820 per capita) $270.961 billion ($1,427 per capita)

GDP (PPP) $8.727 trillion ($6,664 per capita) $984.205 billion ($5,084 per capita)

Military
$51.03billion (2.3% of GDP)[97] $5.1 billion (2.8% of GDP)
expenditures