The Conflict

Kashmir, a mountainous area best known for the famous Himalayan Mountains, has been the site of considerable warfare during the last fifty years. The Kashmiri population is two-thirds Muslim and one-third non-Muslim. Before 1947 Kashmir was part of the larger, British-ruled India, including modern-day India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. Since the partition into predominately Muslim Pakistan and predominately Hindu India in 1947, there is virtually constant conflict over whether Kashmir should be with India or Pakistan, or independent.

Religious

• India believes that is must protect the large number of Hindus living in Kashmir. Moreover, India is a secular democracy with many religions living within its borders. If it admits that there is not room in India for Muslims—by allowing Kashmir independence or unification with Pakistan—minority religious groups all over India may rebel.
• Pakistan believes that the Muslims...