Since their founding in 1947, India and Pakistan have fought major wars in 1948, 1965, and 1971 (the last conflict resulted in the creation of the independent nation of Bangladesh out of what was formerly East Pakistan). In addition, the two countries have clashed almost continuously over Kashmir, a small border region between the two countries. Both countries claim the entire region, which is divided along an international “Line of Control” and which remains the site of occasional military clashes and artillery fire exchanges between the two nations. Pakistan has accused Hindu-dominated India of oppressing Kashmir’s people (the majority of whom are Muslim), while India has accused Muslim-dominated Pakistan of sponsoring terrorist and guerrilla forces in the Indian section of Kashmir.

The past history of hostilities between India and Pakistan and the continuing and unresolved dispute concerning Kashmir have...