A suicide attack on a paramilitary convoy in India just a few weeks ago killed around 40 Indian soldiers. The attack has been claimed by the Pakistan militant group Jaish-e-muhammad. This event sparked outrage in India and has led India to airstrike militant bases in Pakistan's side of Kashmir, a disputed area between India and Pakistan. Pakistan has subsequently retaliated and launched artillery and airstrikes of its own across the border. A dogfight between Pakistani and Indian aircraft ensued, which has led to an Indian pilot being shot down and captured. He was recently released back to India, and, for the time being, tensions have lessened. Pakistan temporarily closed its airspace after India's airstrikes.
The Kashmir Conflict has been going on for many decades now over control of the area, but the recent events have escalated this conflict to new highs. It is important to note that both Pakistan and India are nuclear countries. Although previous clashes over Kashmir have been quite serious as well, I believe the recent rise of tensions serves as a reminder that land disputes are not simple issues, and that there will be no winner in a nuclear war if one should occur. The recent summits between North Korea and the US demonstrate the importance of striving toward good relations between countries.
Questions:
The Kashmir Conflict has been going on for many decades now over control of the area, but the recent events have escalated this conflict to new highs. It is important to note that both Pakistan and India are nuclear countries. Although previous clashes over Kashmir have been quite serious as well, I believe the recent rise of tensions serves as a reminder that land disputes are not simple issues, and that there will be no winner in a nuclear war if one should occur. The recent summits between North Korea and the US demonstrate the importance of striving toward good relations between countries.
Questions:
- Although the conflict is between India and Pakistan, does the conflict affect other countries in any way?
- Should mediators be involved in trying to resolve this conflict?
- What can be learned from this escalation in tension between two nuclear countries?
- https://www.cnn.com/2019/02/28/asia/kashmir-analysis-intl/index.html
- http://theconversation.com/kashmir-conflict-is-not-just-a-border-dispute-between-india-and-pakistan-112824
I think that some surroding countries may be worried because their two nuclear neighbors currently have an ongoing conflict that can escalte to war and possibly could go nuclear. I think that there must be mediators to help solve this issue because neither side is willing to give up their claims for the sake of territory and even reputation. One leason that can be learned is that an escalation will not always lead or cause a war.
ReplyDeleteI think this conflict affects all the other countries in the world because two nuclear powers are on the fringe of an all out war. Pakistan and India have been in conflict for so long, that the situation is going to explode if there are no negotiations. That's why I think it's extremely important that mediators get involved to try to broker an agreement between the two countries in order to avoid violence. This situation really shows just how serious nuclear escalation is, and emphasizes why these weapons of mass destruction should not fall into volatile hands.
ReplyDeleteThe escalation of this conflict definitely impacts other countries because if this leads to the point of nuclear warfare, then every country can be in danger. Also, if this were to escalate into even a full on war then other countries are likely to be involved on both sides. While it is preferred that the countries find a way to negotiate themselves, it is unlikely that this will happen without the use of a mediator in order to avoid further escalation.
ReplyDeleteI believe any conflict between two nuclear powers have an effect on the world stage. There should be a resolution to the conflict as soon as possible because a nuclear conflict in any part of the world will have devastating effects on the world stage. Although this conflict may seem small now over a border skirmish, it will have lasting effects if it weren't resolved now.
ReplyDeleteThis effects any country with any sort of strategic agreement with Pakistan or India. If certain forms of war take precedence, Russia or the US or another larger world power will likely intervene on behalf of the rules of war. Mediators should absolutely be involved, just not militarily. Conflict between two nuclear armed countries (use of nuclear arms has a fallout) should always be closely monitored and quelled by those who are able to lend time to it. The escalation can serve as a reminder of how things can get out of control if not promptly dealt with. Hopefully these tensions lessen to serve as an example for other conflicts.
ReplyDeleteThis conflict will definitely affect other nearby countries should it escalate. Some countries may trade with other, which could be impacted. Mediators may be necessary if the two countries cannot resolve their differences, but I do not believe a war will start despite issues in the past. Something that can be learned is that there are peaceful ways of resolving conflicts as seen when Pakistan released the figher.
ReplyDeleteI agree with my classmates: this kind of conflict between two nuclear countries will have an affect, whether big or small, on all countries around the world. The fact that these two countries have high tensions as well as massively destructive nuclear power already strikes fear into the hearts of many. The issue is, this kind of problem can only really be solved if the two countries come to an agreement or compromise about the disputed land. I think the biggest thing that others can learn from this escalation in tension between these two nuclear countries is how important compromise and communication is. These kinds of conflicts can cause immense damage and can escalate easily putting many in danger, so being able to compromise and communicate effectively with other countries holds extreme significance.
ReplyDeleteConsidering the past between India and Pakistan, the aggression between the two will only intensify. There are a lot of factors to be considered especially because violence in India and Pakistan will surely affect all the countries surrounding them. We have to keep in mind that there is a lot of internal chaos for both nations with their two new populist leaders. The nations' politics are messy and intense. The Kashmir region will only be a casualty in this passive aggressive mess that India and Pakistan are in. It is up to the UN or larger nations such as the US to step in and prevent a 21st century World War.
ReplyDeleteI agree with mary, as both countries have nationalist parties in power right now, and they would not be willing to back down. Furthermore, the upcoming election in India will definitely ensure that the current party will maintain it's aggressive stance, as they do not want to lose their voter base. Hopefully, there can be an international resolution made with both sides giving their arguments as to why the region in question (Kashmir) is their territory. If the decision is based on facts and not politics by a greater international power, then perhaps this issue can be solved in the near future.
Delete