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{{Short description|United Nations mediation of the India–Pakistan dispute in Kashmir}}
{{cleanup|reason=This article contains several unsourced claims.|date=May 2015}}
{{refimprove|date=September 2011}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2024}}
]
The ] has played an important role in maintaining peace and order in ] since the transfer of Power to ] and independence to ] in 1947. Immediately after the freedom a dispute erupted between India and the successor ] of Pakistan on the question of the very basis of accession of Jammu and Kashmir by the ruler. New Delhi took this matter to the United Nation and the Security Council passed ] (1948) and established the United Nations Commission for India and Pakistan (UNCIP) to investigate and mediate the issues .


The ] has played an advisory role in maintaining peace and order in the ] region soon after ] and ] into the dominions of ] and ] in 1947, when a dispute erupted between the two new States on the question of accession over the ]. India took this matter to the UN ], which passed ] (1948) and established the ] (UNCIP) to investigate the issues and mediate between the two new countries. Following the cease-fire of hostilities, it also established the '''United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan''' (UNMOGIP) to monitor the cease-fire line.
==History of operations==
=== UN Security Council plebiscite resolution ===
The Security Council of United Nations on the complaint of Government of India concerning the dispute over the State of Jammu and Kashmir passed ] (1948).
*This resolution required among other things that ] withdraw from the areas of ] which it had captured in 1947 immediately and conditions be created for a free and impartial plebiscite to decide the future of the state. The ] should withdraw and maintain a skeletal force to ensure proper functioning of the civil affairs of the state after satisfactory withdrawal of Pakistani tribesmen and forces.<ref>, ], 2004-11-10</ref><ref>, ]</ref>
*It recommended to the governments of India and Pakistan to restore peace and order in Jammu and Kashmir and provide full freedom to all subjects of the state, to vote on the question of accession.
*Furthermore, it recommended to the government of India to establish Plebiscite Administration to hold fair and impartial referendum as soon as possible, a nominee of the Secretary-General of the United Nations to be appointed as the Plebiscite Administrator, release all political prisoners, invite the major political groups to share the administration at the ministerial level while the plebiscite is being prepared and carried out. UN Official statement: The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on the map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations. The Dotted line represents approximately the ] of ] agreed upon by the ] and the ] since 1972. Both the parties have not yet agreed upon the final ] of the region and nothing significant has been implemented since the peace process began in 2004.


==Overview==
=== Status of Indian organized territory of Jammu & Kashmir ===
{{United Nations Security Council resolutions concerning the Kashmir conflict}}
Meanwhile, elections were held in Indian territory of Jammu & Kashmir, which brought up the popular Muslim leader ], who with his party ], generally supported India. The elected ] met for the first time in ] on October 31, 1951.<ref name="Official J&K">{{cite web|url = http://jammukashmir.nic.in/profile/majev.htm#1| title = Major Events|publisher = Jammu and Kashmir Government, India |accessdate = 2007-01-09}}</ref> Then The State Constituent Assembly ratified the accession of the State to the Union of India on February 6, 1954 and the President of India subsequently issued the Constitution (Application to J&K) Order under Article 370 of the Indian Constitution extending the Union Constitution to the State with some exceptions and modifications. The State’s own Constitution came into force on January 26, 1957 under which the elections to the State Legislative Assembly were held for the first time on the basis of adult franchise the same year. This Constitution further reiterated the ratification of the State’s accession to Union of India.<ref name="Official J&K">{{cite web|url = http://jammukashmir.nic.in/profile/jkhist.htm#The%20Story%20Behind| title = The Story Behind|publisher = Jammu and Kashmir Government, India |accessdate = 2007-01-09}}</ref> ]: The ] states that "the external artificial boundaries of the ], especially concerning the international borders under its jurisdiction created by a foreign body are neither correct nor authenticated".


=== 1948–1951 ===
=== Status of Pakistani territory of Kashmir ===
Following the outbreak of the ], India's Governor General ] flew to Lahore on 1 November 1947 for a conference with ], proposing that, in all the princely States where the ruler did not accede to a Dominion corresponding to the majority population (which would have included ], ] as well Kashmir), the accession should be decided by an 'impartial reference to the will of the people'. Jinnah rejected the offer.{{sfn|Noorani|2014|pp=13-14}} The Prime Ministers ] and ] met again in December, where Nehru informed Khan of India's intention to refer the dispute to the ] under article 35 (]) of the ], which allows the member states to bring to the Security Council attention situations `likely to endanger the maintenance of international peace'.{{sfn|Schofield|2003|pp=67-68}}
However, these tidings were not recognized by Pakistan, which asks for a plebiscite to ascertain the wishes of the people. The people there set up, now called ] in the West help by Pakistan that it controls. The much larger region of Pakistani Kashmir in the North-West, which was a special dependent territory named ''Northern Areas'' in the erstwhile state, generally bore no mention in Pakistani laws and Constitution as being of any status, until in 1982 the Pakistani President General ] proclaimed that the people of the Northern Areas were Pakistanis and had nothing to do with the State of Jammu and Kashmir.<ref name="Embassy of India-Northern Areas">{{cite web|url = http://www.indianembassy.org/policy/Kashmir/Kashmir_MEA/Northern_Areas.html| title = A Comprehensive Note on Jammu & Kashmir: The Northern Areas|publisher = Embassy of India, Washington D.C.|accessdate = 2007-01-09}}</ref>
]: The ] maintains un-provisionally and unconditionally stating that the formal "Accession of Jammu and Kashmir" to Pakistan or even to the ] remains to be decided by UN ] and a formal referendum for a final settlement of the dispute. It accepts ]'s map of the territory. It also states that the designations and the presentation of the ]'s regional map based on ] practice, do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Commonwealth Secretariat or the publishers concerning the legal status of any country, territory or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. There is no intention to define the status of Jammu and Kashmir, which has not yet been agreed upon by the parties. It further says that boundaries must be based on religious, cultural, racial, historical, geographical and not political orientated.


India sought resolution of the issue at the ] (UNSC) on 1 January 1948.<ref name="Wellens1990">{{citation|last=Wellens|first=Karel|title=Resolutions and Statements of the United Nations Security Council: (1946–1989); a Thematic Guide|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lsyOVH6E-PEC&pg=PA322|year=1990|publisher=Brill|isbn=978-0-7923-0796-9|pages=322–}}</ref> Following the set-up of the ] (UNCIP), the UN Security Council passed ] on 21{{nbsp}}April 1948. The measure imposed an immediate cease-fire and called on the Government of Pakistan 'to secure the withdrawal from the state of Jammu and Kashmir of tribesmen and Pakistani nationals not normally resident therein who have entered the state for the purpose of fighting.' It also asked Government of India to reduce its forces to minimum strength, after which the circumstances for holding a ] should be put into effect 'on the question of Accession of the state to India or Pakistan.' However, it was not until 1 January 1949 that the ceasefire could be put into effect, signed by General ] on behalf of Pakistan and General ] on behalf of India.{{sfn|Schofield|2003|pp=68–69}}
=== Status of Aksai Chin in China ===
]: The ] ] of the ] maintains its control over what is known as the Chinese Kashmir of Ladakh plateau, China states that Aksai Chin is a part of Chinese provincial region the ] and does not recognise the addition of Aksai Chin to the Kashmir region.{{citation needed|date=May 2013}}
* China did not accept the boundaries of the princely state of Kashmir and Jammu, north of the ] and the ] that were proposed by the British Empire.<ref name="britannica1">{{cite web|url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/312908/Kashmir/214223/The-Kashmir-problem#ref673547 |title=Kashmir (region, Indian subcontinent) :: The Kashmir problem |work=Encyclopædia Britannica |accessdate=2 February 2010}}</ref>
* China settled its border disputes with Pakistan in the ] of 1963 with the provision that the settlement was subject to the final solution of the Kashmir dispute.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/factbox-all-about-india-chinas-border-dispute/104799-3.html|title=Factbox: all about India, China's border dispute|date=8 November 2009|accessdate=13 April 2010|work=IBN Live}}</ref> However recognized by ] as part of ] as it is claimed, stating that the ] is not demarcated or boundary undefined, the frontier is yet to be finalised, between Islamabad and Beijing as part of the ].


The UNCIP made three visits to the subcontinent between 1948 and 1949, trying to find a solution agreeable to both India and Pakistan.{{sfn|Schofield|2003|p=70}} It reported to the Security Council in August 1948 that "the presence of troops of Pakistan" inside Kashmir represented a "material change" in the situation. A two-part process was proposed for the withdrawal of forces. In the first part, Pakistan was to withdraw its forces as well as other Pakistani nationals from the state. In the second part, "when the Commission shall have notified the Government of India" that Pakistani withdrawal has been completed, India was to withdraw the bulk of its forces. After both the withdrawals were completed, a plebiscite would be held.{{sfn|Varshney|1992|p=211}} The resolution was accepted by India but effectively rejected by Pakistan.{{Sfn|Korbel|1953|p=502}}
==Formation of UNMOGIP and current status of operations==
Resolution 47(1948) also enlarged the membership of the UNCIP and its role to observe ceasefire. India and Pakistan signed Karachi Agreement in March 1951 and established a ceasefire line to be supervised by observers. After the termination of UNCIP, the Security Council passed another resolution 91(1951) and established ''United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan'' (UNMOGIP) to observe and report violations of ceasefire.


The Indian government considered itself to be under legal possession of Jammu and Kashmir by virtue of the ] of the state. The assistance given by Pakistan to the rebel forces and the Pakhtoon tribes was held to be a hostile act and the further involvement of the Pakistan army was taken to be an invasion of Indian territory. From the Indian perspective, the plebiscite was meant to confirm the accession, which was in all respects already complete, and Pakistan could not aspire to an equal footing with India in the contest.{{sfn|Schofield|2003|pp=70–71}}
After ] the two countries signed the ] in 1972 to define the Line of Control in Kashmir. India and Pakistan disagree on UNMOGIP’s mandate in Kashmir because India argued that the mandate of UNMOGIP has lapsed after Simla agreement because it was specifically established to observe ceasefire according to Karachi Agreement.


The Pakistan government held that the state of Jammu and Kashmir had executed a ] with Pakistan which precluded it from entering into agreements with other countries. It also held that the ] had no authority left to execute accession because his people had revolted and he had to flee the capital. It believed that the Azad Kashmir movement as well as the tribal incursions were indigenous and spontaneous, and Pakistan's assistance to them was not open to criticism.{{sfn|Schofield|2003|pp=71–72}}
However, The Secretary General of the United Nations maintained that the UNMOGIP should continue to function because no resolution has been passed to terminate it. The ] have continued to lodge complaints with UNMOGIP about ceasefire violations. ] have lodged no complaints since January 1972 and have restricted the activities of the UN observers on the Indian side of the Line of Control.<ref>http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/missions/unmogip/background.shtml</ref>


In short, India required an asymmetric treatment of the two countries in the withdrawal arrangements regarding Pakistan as an 'aggressor', whereas Pakistan insisted on parity. The UN mediators tended towards parity, which was not to India's satisfaction.{{sfn|Schofield|2003|pp=82–85}} In the end, no withdrawal was ever carried out, India insisting that Pakistan had to withdraw first, and Pakistan contending that there was no guarantee that India would withdraw afterwards.{{sfn|Varshney|1992|p=212}} No agreement could be reached between the two countries on the process of demilitarisation.{{Sfn|Korbel|1953|pp=506–507}}
==Map issues==

Scholars have commented that the failure of the Security Council efforts of mediation owed to the fact that the council regarded the issue as a purely political dispute without investigating its legal underpinnings.{{Sfn|Korbel|1953|p=507}}{{Sfn|Subbiah|2004|p=180}}{{Sfn|Ankit|2013|pp=276, 279}}
{| class="wikitable"
!Period
!Adopted resolutions<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=1946 – 1951. Chapter VIII. Consideration of questions under the council's responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. Part II. The India-Pakistan question.|url=https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/sites/www.un.org.securitycouncil/files/en/sc/repertoire/46-51/46-51_08.pdf|access-date=26 September 2021|website=UNSC Repertoire. Repertoire of the Practice of the Security Council.|pages=344–352}}</ref>
!Notes<ref name=":0" />
|-
| rowspan="4" |1948–1951
(])
|UNSC Resolution ]
|India approaches the UN. UN requests the two parties to calm down.
|-
|UNSC Resolutions ], ], ]
|UNSC establishes the ] and issues instructions to it.
|-
|UNCIP Resolutions of 13 August 1948 and 5 January 1949
|UNCIP unanimously adopts a resolution amending and amplifying the UN Resolution 47. It deals with a ceasefire, truce agreement and further consultation with the commission. This eventually leads to the ].{{Sfn|Korbel|1953|p=502}}
|-
|UNSC Resolutions ], ], ], ]
|UNCIP fails in its overall task. UNCIP terminated. ] constituted. Ceasefire acknowledged. Demilitarization attempts furthered.
|}

=== 1951–1957 ===
The India-Pakistan question was not a part of the agenda for the UNSC from 1953 and 1957. During this period, both India and Pakistan made internal decisions that worsened each other's perception of the other's stance on Kashmir. Pakistan became a part of the military alliances ] (SEATO) and ] (CENTO). India saw nationalist movements from 1954 onwards. Organizations such as ] demanded integration. The main trigger for Pakistan to appeal to the UNSC was the adoption of the ] in November 1956 which stated "The State of Jammu and Kashmir is and will be a part of Union of India".{{Sfn|Shakoor|1998|p=59}}
{| class="wikitable"
!Period
!Adopted resolutions<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=1956–1958 (2nd supplement). Chapter VIII. Consideration of questions under the council's responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. Part II. The India-Pakistan question.|url=https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/sites/www.un.org.securitycouncil/files/en/sc/repertoire/56-58/56-58_08.pdf|access-date=26 September 2021|website=UNSC Repertoire. Repertoire of the Practice of the Security Council|pages=112–115}}</ref>
!Notes<ref name=":1" />
|-
| rowspan="3" |1957
|UNSC Resolutions ]
|UNSC reminds both parties of previous resolutions.
|-
|Soviet Union veto
|Rejection of a joint draft resolution through Soviet veto on 20 February 1957
|-
|UNSC Resolutions ], ]
|"Resolution requesting the ] to examine with India and Pakistan any proposals likely to contribute to the settlement of the dispute. Requesting the United Nations Representative of India and Pakistan to make any recommendations to the parties for further appropriate action with a view to making progress toward the implementation of the resolutions of the UNCIP and toward a peaceful settlement."
|}

=== 1962–1972 ===
Through a letter on 1 January 1962 Pakistan asked for a meeting of the UNSC. Shortly after, India said that such a meeting was not required. This continued until the UNSC eventually held discussions on the India-Pakistan question on 1 February 1962 and between 27 April and 22 June 1962.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|title=1959–1963 (3rd supplement). Chapter VIII. Consideration of questions under the council's responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. Part II. The India-Pakistan question.|url=https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/sites/www.un.org.securitycouncil/files/en/sc/repertoire/59-63/59-63_08.pdf|access-date=27 September 2021|website=UNSC Repertoire. Repertoire of the Practice of the Security Council}}</ref> Following the ], India and Pakistan signed the ]. The Tashkent Declaration by-passed the United Nations and was brokered by the Soviet Union.{{Sfn|Shakoor|1998|p=53}} The ] and ] made India harden its stance on aversion to United Nations mediation on Kashmir.{{Sfn|Shakoor|1998|pp=53–54}}
{| class="wikitable"
!Period
!Adopted resolutions
!Notes
|-
|1962
|Draft resolution dated 22 June 1962 not adopted<ref name=":2" />
|The draft resolution failed adoption with 7 votes in favour and 2 against, with 2 abstentions. One of the negative votes was of the Soviet Union.
|-
|1965
(])
|UNSC Resolutions ], ], ], ], ]<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|title=1964–1965 (4th supplement). Chapter VIII. Consideration of questions under the council's responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. Part II. The India-Pakistan question.|url=https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/sites/www.un.org.securitycouncil/files/en/sc/repertoire/64-65/64-65_08.pdf|website=UNSC Repertoire. Repertoire of the Practice of the Security Council|pages=100–108}}</ref>
|UN concerned about situation along ceasefire line. Demands ceasefire and that representatives of India and Pakistan meet with a representative of the secretary-general.<ref name=":3" /> Following a speech by the Pakistani Foreign Minister, India conducts a walkout from the UN.<ref name=":02">{{Cite news|last=Haidar|first=Suhasini|date=2015-09-01|title=India's walkout from UNSC was a turning point: Natwar|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/indias-walkout-from-unsc-was-a-turning-point-natwar/article7601027.ece|access-date=2021-09-27|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> ] (UNIPOM) successful.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Reford|first=Robert W.|date=1972|title=UNIPOM: success of a mission|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/25733948|journal=International Journal|volume=27|issue=3|pages=405–423|doi=10.1177/002070207202700304 |jstor=25733948 |s2cid=151745499 |issn=0020-7020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=2019-06-03|title=United Nations India-Pakistan Observer Mission (UNIPOM)|url=https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/services/military-history/history-heritage/past-operations/asia-pacific/united-nations-india-pakistan-observer-mission-unipom.html|access-date=2021-12-29|website=Government of Canada}}</ref>
|-
|1971
(])
|UNSC Resolutions ], ]{{Sfn|Shakoor|1998|p=53}}
|With respect to ], UN calls for cessation of hostilities.
|}

=== 1972–present ===
1972 onwards, UNSC no longer passed any resolution on the India-Pakistan question. Pakistan independently and through bodies such as the ], continues to raise the issue at the ].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Chakravarty|first=Pinak Ranjan|date=2 December 2020|title=Why India need not worry about Pakistan's efforts to instigate OIC|url=https://www.orfonline.org/research/why-india-need-not-worry-about-pakistans-efforts-to-instigate-oic/|access-date=2021-09-29|website=ORF}}</ref> The ], and ] over the years have commented upon the issue. The OHCHR came out with ] in 2018 and 2019.

The UNMOGIP is still functional. According to the secretary-general the UNMOGIP can only be abolished through a UNSC decision.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Jammu and Kashmir Consultations|url=https://www.securitycouncilreport.org/whatsinblue/2019/08/jammu-and-kashmir-consultations.php|access-date=2021-09-29|website=www.securitycouncilreport.org (Security Council Report)}}</ref>

Following the ], the UNSC discussed the Kashmir question at least three times. However no resolutions was taken and no statement issued.<ref>{{Cite web|date=6 August 2020|title=UN discusses Kashmir for third time since India ended autonomy|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/8/6/un-discusses-kashmir-for-third-time-since-india-ended-autonomy|access-date=2021-09-29|website=Al Jazeera}}</ref>

==Mediatory reports==
Mediatory reports include:
* ]: 4<ref name=":4">{{Cite journal|last=Khan|first=Rahmatullah|date=1969|title=The Kashmir Problem: Its Handling in the United Nations|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/43950029|journal=Journal of the Indian Law Institute|volume=11|issue=3|pages=273–292|jstor=43950029|issn=0019-5731}}</ref>
* ], ], ]: 1 each<ref name=":4" />
* ]: 6<ref name=":4" />

===McNaughton proposals===
]
In December 1949 the Canadian president of the UNSC, General McNaughton, was requested by the council to approach the two states to solve the dispute. McNaughton issued both states on 22 December with his proposals and two days before his term as president of the council was to expire he reported back to the UNSC, on 29 December. But the council asked him to continue his mediation and he did so, submitting his final report on 3 February 1950.{{Sfn|Gupta|1968|pp=153–155}}

His proposal enclosed a scheme whereby Pakistan and India would simultaneously withdraw their regular forces (excluding those Indian regular forces needed for security purposes). The ] and ] (and other militia) would both be demobilized. The ] would also be dimilitarised and its administration would remain with the local authorities, under UN supervision. Pakistan accepted his suggestions but India proposed two far-reaching amendments which amounted to a rejection.{{Sfn|Gupta|1968|p=154}}{{Sfn|Schofield|2010|pp=101–|ps=. Although Pakistan agreed to his proposals, India did not.}}

The proposals treated India and Pakistan as equal participants in the dispute which was not acceptable to India. In India's view, Pakistan was present illegally in Kashmir while India was present legally. The United States warned India that it would have no option but to comply with any decision that the Security Council may opt for because by rejecting the McNaugton proposals it would be the third successive time India spurned the conclusions of a neutral UN representative, upon which Nehru accused the US of pressurizing his government. India's rejections of the McNaugton proposals were viewed by American policymakers as an example of Indian "intransigence."{{Sfn|McMahon|1994|pp=60–}}{{Sfn|Schaffer|2009|pp=28–|ps=. U.S. policymakers considered India's rejection the worst example yet of its intransigence}}

The McNaughton proposals were popular in the Security Council, which then passed a resolution giving both states a time period of five months to arrange the demilitarisation scheme. India later accepted the draft resolution on 14 March 1950.{{Clarify|reason=It accepted what?|date=February 2023}} The council then appointed Sir ] as the next UN representative to the two countries; and he was tasked with administering McNaughton's demilitarisation scheme, which India had already rejected.{{Sfn|Gupta|1968|pp=156-}}{{Sfn|Korbel|2015|pp=168–}}{{Sfn|Schofield|2010|pp=101–|ps=. Although Pakistan agreed to his proposals, India did not.}}

===Dixon mission===
]
On the Pakistani side of the ceasefire line, Sir Owen Dixon proposed that the areas demilitarized by Pakistan would be governed by the local authorities under supervision by the commission, according to the "law and custom" of the State before the conflict started. India opposed this idea because it believed that the local authorities were biased in Pakistan's favour and this would not be in India's interests. However, India did not offer any substitute ideas.{{Sfn|Gupta|1968|p=159}}

On the Indian side of the ceasefire line, Dixon proposed attaching a United Nations officer with each district magistrate who would be allowed to inspect and report on the magistrate's reports and proceedings. Nehru objected to this idea by claiming that it would intrude on the state's sovereignty. Nehru again offered no alternative idea.{{Sfn|Gupta|1968|p=159}}

Next, Dixon put before the prime ministers of the two countries some proposals such as establishing a coalition government between ] and Ghulam Abbas or distributing the portfolios between the various parties. Dixon's second suggestion was to establish a neutral government by respectable non-political people for a six-month period prior to a referendum, in which membership would be split between Hindus and Muslims equally, under United Nations supervision. Dixon's third suggestion was to install an administrative body made up completely of representatives from the UN. Nehru disagreed with all these suggestions. Sir Owen Dixon criticized India for its negative reactions to all the demilitarization proposals. Sir Owen Dixon took India to task in very strong language for its negative reactions to the various alternative proposals for demilitarisation.{{Sfn|Gupta|1968|p=160|ps=. He summed up his impressions in very strong language, sharply taking India to task for its negative attitude towards the various alternative demilitarization proposals.}}

Dixon next asked Nehru in the presence of the Pakistani Prime Minister whether it would be advisable to have plebiscites by region and allocate each region according to the results of a plebiscite in each. India reacted favourably to this plan.{{Sfn|Gupta|1968|p=161-162}} According to the Indian commentator Raghavan, it was first Nehru who proposed a partition-cum-plebiscite plan: Jammu and Ladakh would go to India, Azad Kashmir and Northern Areas to Pakistan, and a plebiscite would be held in the ]. Dixon favoured the plan, which bears his name till this day.{{sfn|Raghavan|2010|pp=188–189}} Dixon agreed that people in Jammu and Ladakh were clearly in favour of India; equally clearly, those in Azad Kashmir and the Northern Areas wanted to be part of Pakistan. This left the Kashmir Valley and 'perhaps some adjacent country' around ] in uncertain political terrain. However, according to Dixon, Pakistan "bluntly rejected" the proposal. It believed that the plebiscite should be held in the entire state or the state should be partitioned along religious lines.<ref name="Snedden plebiscite">{{citation |first=Christopher |last=Snedden |year=2005 |title=Would a plebiscite have resolved the Kashmir dispute? |journal=South Asia: Journal of South Asian Studies |volume=28 |number=1 |pages=64–86 |doi= 10.1080/00856400500056145|s2cid=145020726 |ref={{sfnref|Snedden, Would a plebiscite have resolved the Kashmir dispute?|2005}}}}</ref> Pakistan believed that India's commitment to a plebiscite for the whole of Jammu and Kashmir should not be departed from.{{Sfn|Gupta|1968|pp=161-162}}{{Sfn|Korbel|2015|p=173–}}{{Sfn|Hilali|1997|p=75}}

Dixon also had concerns that the Kashmiris, not being high-spirited people, may vote under fear or improper influences.<ref>{{Cite journal | doi=10.1080/00856400500056145|title = Would a plebiscite have resolved the Kashmir dispute?| journal=South Asia: Journal of South Asian Studies| volume=28| pages=64–86|year = 2005|last1 = Snedden|first1 = Christopher|s2cid = 145020726}}</ref> Following Pakistan's objections, he proposed that Sheikh Abdullah administration should be held in "commission" (in abeyance) while the plebiscite was held. This was not acceptable to India. According to Raghavan, at this point, Dixon lost patience and declared failure.{{sfn|Raghavan|2010|pp=188–189}}

Another reason India declined Dixon's proposals for a limited plebiscite was that India wanted to keep its own troops in Kashmir during the plebiscite, claiming they were necessary for "security reasons", but at the same time India did not want any Pakistani troops to remain. This contradicted the Dixon plan which had stipulated that neither India nor Pakistan would be permitted to retain troops in the plebiscite zone.{{Sfn|Gupta|1968|pp=161-162}}

Dixon felt that India would not agree to demilitarisation and other provisions governing the plebiscite that guard against influence and abuse.<ref>{{citation |first=Robert W. |last=Bradnock |year=998 |title=Regional geopolitics in a globalising world: Kashmir in geopolitical perspective |journal=Geopolitics |volume=3 |number=2 |page=11 |doi=10.1080/14650049808407617}}</ref>{{sfn|Schofield|2003|p=83}} In the absence of Indian demilitarization, the Pakistanis and the Azad forces were unwilling to demilitarise the territory under their administration. Dixon's final comment was to suggest that India and Pakistan be left to solve the situation on their own.{{sfn|Schofield|2003|pp=83–}}

The failure of the Dixon mission served to increase the American ambassador Loy Henderson's distrust of India. Henderson in his own assessment upon visiting the Kashmir Valley observed that the majority of people in the Valley would vote to join Pakistan in a plebiscite rather than remain with India. He observed that if given the choice, most Kashmiris would opt for a third option: independence. Henderson believed that because of Indian allegations, kindled by Nehru, that America was biased in favour of Pakistan, the Americans ought to distance themselves from the Kashmir dispute, which Washington did so in 1950.{{Sfn|Schaffer|2009|pp=30–}}

===Frank Graham's mediation===
]
Pakistan vetoed ] as the next mediator.{{Sfn|Schaffer|2009|p=31}}

When Dixon's successor, Dr ], arrived in the subcontinent during a time of tension, he tried to effect demilitarisation prior to a plebiscite but India and Pakistan could not agree on the number of troops who were to remain in Kashmir.{{sfn|Schofield|2003|pp=83–86}}

Dr Frank Graham was appointed by the Security Council as the UN representative for India and Pakistan on 30 April 1951. Dr Graham arrived in the subcontinent on 30 June 1951. The Graham mission had to reach an agreement between the two countries concerning the demilitarisation of Kashmir. Similar to the experience of previous UN representatives, Graham had first proposed a demilitarisation scheme which found acceptance from Pakistan but rejection from India. Thereafter, Graham gave an alternative proposal whereby both countries were to gradually reduce their forces to minimal levels and to the ratio of their presence in the state on 1 January 1949. This proposal was accepted by Pakistan but rejected by India.{{Sfn|Hilali|1997|p=76}}

Dr Graham offered a fresh set of proposals on 16 July 1952. By them Pakistan would reduce its forces to a quantity between 3,000 and 6,000 and India would reduce its troops numbers to between 12,000 and 16,000. But the state militias on the Indian side and the Gilgit and Northern Scouts on Pakistan's side were not included in these figures. Because Pakistan was hopeful for a plebiscite it accepted this plan but India did not accept it, perhaps because the question of irregular forces was not solved. Graham revised the figures so that 6,000 would be the limit of Pakistan's forces and 18,000 would be the limit for India's forces. The response of India was to propose that it be allowed to keep 21,000 troops (including the state militia) in its side but that Pakistan be allowed only a 4,000 strong civilian force. Dr Graham reported his failure to the Security Council, which subsequently passed a resolution in December 1951 calling for India and Pakistan to come to an agreement on reducing the size of their forces. The resolution requested Pakistan to reduce its military presence to 3,000–6,000 and that India to cut its own troop numbers to a number between 12,000 and 18,000. The Security Council urged both countries to consider Dr Graham's criterion for troop reductions which he had suggested on 4 September 1951. Pakistan agreed to the Security Council resolution but India did not and gave no reason for its rejection.{{Sfn|Hilali|1997|p=77}}

Graham then tried to make the mediation move forward and, without proposing a parallel increase of Pakistani forces, gave a proposal which would allow India to keep 21,000 troops as had been India's demand. This proposal was also unsuccessful. Dr Graham submitted a second report to the United Nations in December to recount the failure of his endeavors to achieve a demilitarisation for a plebiscite. His third submission to the UN in April 1952 relayed some headway on the demilitarisation question as both countries had begun withdrawing forces since March. But by the fourth report in October 1952 Graham had to inform the Security Council that the negotiations had stumbled again over the question of the size and type of forces to be permitted for both sides. The Security Council then adopted a resolution asking that the two nations hold direct talks over this question. There were talks in February 1953 in Geneva but the UN representative realised that this method would be unsuccessful. On 27 March 1953 Dr Graham presented his final report and his mediatory efforts ended. The two questions during this mediation which India and Pakistan differed upon was the number of troops to remain after demilitarisation on each side and when the plebiscite administrator could assume their tasks.{{Sfn|Hilali|1997|p=77}}

==United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan==
{{Infobox organization
| image = File:UNMOGIP emblem.png
| image_size = 120pxm
| name = United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan
| map =
| map_caption =
| type = Peacekeeping Mission
| abbreviation = UNMOGIP
| leader_title =
| leader_name =
| leader_title2 = Force Commander
| leader_name2 =
| status = Active
| formation = {{start date and age|1951|3|30|df=yes}}
| headquarters = ] (November to April) and ] (May to October)
| website =
| parent_organization = ]
| subsidiaries =
| footnotes =
}}

The ] (1948) also enlarged the membership of the UNCIP to five members. ] and ] signed the ] in July 1949 and established a ceasefire line to be supervised by observers.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/05/1150406 | title=Stories from the UN Archive: Keeping the peace over decades &#124; UN News | date=29 May 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://unmogip.unmissions.org/background | title=Background | date=28 September 2016 }}</ref> The first group of these unarmed observers arrived in the mission area in January 1949 to oversee the ceasefire between ] and ].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://unmogip.unmissions.org/background | title=Background | date=28 September 2016 }}</ref> After the termination of the ], the Security Council passed ] (1951) and established a ''United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan'' (UNMOGIP) to observe and report violations of ].

After the ], the two countries signed the ] in 1972 to define the ] in Kashmir. India and Pakistan disagree on UNMOGIP's mandate in Kashmir because India argued that the mandate of UNMOGIP has lapsed after the Simla agreement because it was specifically established to observe ceasefire according to the Karachi Agreement.

However, the secretary-general of the United Nations maintained that the UNMOGIP should continue to function because no resolution has been passed to terminate it. India has partially restricted the activities of the unarmed 45 UN observers on the Indian side of the Line of Control on the grounds that the mandate of UNMOGIP has lapsed.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/missions/unmogip/background.shtml |title=UNMOGIP Background |access-date=2017-06-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170703115430/http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/missions/unmogip/background.shtml |archive-date=2017-07-03 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=Oxford>{{Cite book |last1=Shucksmith |first1=Christy |last2=White |first2=Nigel D. |chapter=United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) |editor1=Joachim Alexander Koops |editor2=Norrie MacQueen |editor3=Thierry Tardy |editor4=Paul D. Williams |title=The Oxford Handbook of United Nations Peacekeeping Operations |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7CTvCQAAQBAJ&pg=PA139 |year=2015 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-968604-9 |pages=139–}}</ref>

Despite the limitations on its mandate, UNMOGIP continues to operate in the region by reporting on the situation along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir. The primary tasks of UNMOGIP include observing and reporting, investigating complaints of ceasefire violations, and submitting its findings to each party and to the Secretary-General.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://unmogip.unmissions.org/background | title=Background | date=28 September 2016 }}</ref> The mission plays a crucial role in monitoring and reporting on the situation along the ] (LoC), thereby contributing to the maintenance of peace and stability in the region.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2457476/un-official-says-ceasefire-along-loc-holding | title=UN official says ceasefire along LoC holding | date=24 February 2024 }}</ref>

UNMOGIP has encountered several obstacles in fulfilling its mandate. These include restrictions on the movement of UNMOGIP officials, long delays in obtaining visas, and difficulties in conducting operational tasks.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2023/01/05/india-curbs-undermining-peacekeeping-operations-in-occupied-kashmir-un/ | title=India curbs undermining peacekeeping operations in occupied Kashmir: UN | date=5 January 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://kashmirlife.net/unmogip-in-srinagar-lg-says-the-issue-will-be-looked-into-341876/ | title=UNMOGIP in Srinagar, LG Says the Issue Will be Looked into | date=12 February 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2457476/un-official-says-ceasefire-along-loc-holding | title=UN official says ceasefire along LoC holding | date=24 February 2024 }}</ref>

In 2023, a high-ranking UN official reported that the ceasefire along the LoC is being maintained, with only two violations reported.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2457476/un-official-says-ceasefire-along-loc-holding | title=UN official says ceasefire along LoC holding | date=24 February 2024 }}</ref> Moreover, the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, ], has stated that the government will investigate the issue regarding the closure of the United Nations office in Kashmir.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://kashmirlife.net/unmogip-in-srinagar-lg-says-the-issue-will-be-looked-into-341876/ | title=UNMOGIP in Srinagar, LG Says the Issue Will be Looked into | date=12 February 2024 }}</ref>

== Gallery ==
<gallery> <gallery>
UN observers monitor a border discussion between Indian and Pakistani officers.png|UN observers monitor a border discussion between Indian and Pakistani officers, 1962
Image:South Asia UN.png|Map of ]' version of the ''] region''
File:Rehmani-un.JPG|Muhammad Farooq Rehmani, ], presenting a memo to UN officials in Azad Kashmir, 2005
Image:Un-pakistan.png|Map of ]'s version of ]
Image:Un-kashmir-jammu.png|Map of ]'s version of the ''Kashmir region''
Image:India - Location Map (2013) - IND - UNOCHA.svg|Map of ]'s version of the ] and border areas
|Map of Kashmir Independence
|Map of the current status quo
|Map of Kashmir in favour of Hindu-majority India
|Map of Kashmir in favour of its Muslim-majority state union with Pakistan
</gallery> </gallery>
As with other disputed territories, each government issues maps depicting their claims in Kashmir as part of their territory, regardless of actual control. It is illegal in India to exclude all or part of Kashmir in a map. It is also illegal in ] not to include the state of ] as disputed territory, as permitted by the ]. Non-participants often use the ] and the ] as the depicted boundaries, as is done in the ], and the region is often marked out in hashmarks, although the Indian government strictly opposes such practices.<!--Source?--> When ] released a map in Windows 95 and MapPoint 2002, a controversy was raised because it did not show all of Kashmir as part of India as per Indian claim. However, all the neutral and Pakistani companies claim to follow ]'s map and over 90% of all maps containing the territory of Kashmir show it as disputed territory.


== See also == == See also ==
* UN Security Council resolutions concerning the Kashmir conflict: ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ]
* ]
* ]
* ] * ]
* ] * ]
* ]


==References== ==References==
{{reflist}} {{Reflist|25em}}

==Bibliography==
* {{citation |first=Rakesh |last=Ankit |year=2013 |title=Britain and Kashmir, 1948: "The Arena of the UN" |journal=Diplomacy & Statecraft |volume=24 |pages=273–290 |number=2 |doi=10.1080/09592296.2013.789771 |s2cid=154021048 }}
* {{cite book |first=Sumantra |last=Bose |author-link=Sumantra Bose |title=Kashmir: Roots of Conflict, Paths to Peace |publisher=Harvard University Press |year=2003 |isbn=978-0-674-01173-1 |ref={{sfnref|Sumantra Bose|2003}} |url=https://archive.org/details/00book939526581 }}
* {{cite journal |last1=Bradnock |first1=Robert |title=Regional geopolitics in a globalising world: Kashmir in geopolitical perspective |journal=Geopolitics |date=1998 |volume=3 |issue=2|pages=1–29 |doi=10.1080/14650049808407617 }}
* {{cite journal |last1=Hilali |first1=AZ |title=Kashmir dispute and UN mediation efforts: An historical perspective |journal=Small Wars & Insurgencies |date=1997 |volume=8 |issue=2 |pages=61–86|doi=10.1080/09592319708423174 }}
* {{cite book|author=Schaffer|title=The Limits of Influence: America's Role in Kashmir|first=Howard B.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kyYOWdA5PNkC&pg=PA26|date=1 September 2009|publisher=Brookings Institution Press|isbn=978-0-8157-0370-9}}
* {{cite journal |last1=Howley |first1=James |title=Alive and Kicking: The Kashmir Dispute Forty Years Later |journal=Penn State International Law Review |date=1991 |volume=9 |issue=1}}
* {{cite book|author=Korbel|title=Danger in Kashmir|first=Josef|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7Q7WCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA181|date=8 December 2015|publisher=Princeton University Press|isbn=978-1-4008-7523-8}}
* —{{citation |last=Korbel |first=Josef |author-link=Josef Korbel |title=The Kashmir dispute after six years |journal=International Organization |volume=7 |pages=498–510 |number=4 |year=1953 |jstor=2704850 |doi=10.1017/s0020818300007256|s2cid=155022750 }}
* {{cite book|author=Gupta|title=Jammu and Kashmir|first=Jyoti Bhusan Das|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dpTpCAAAQBAJ|date=1968|publisher=]|isbn=978-94-011-9231-6|location=The Hauge, Netherlands}}
* {{citation |last=Noorani |first=A. G. |author-link=A. G. Noorani |title=The Kashmir Dispute, 1947–2012 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hdGkoAEACAAJ |year=2014 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-940018-8 |orig-year=first published in 2013 by ]}}
* {{citation |last=Panigrahi |first=D. N. |title=Jammu and Kashmir, the Cold War and the West |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WcXHRVYzV4MC&pg=PA52 |year=2009 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-136-51751-8 }}
* {{Cite book|last=Raghavan|first=Srinath|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0NpMMcl9PPIC|title=War and Peace in Modern India|publisher=Palgrave Macmillan|year=2010|isbn=9780230242159}}
* {{cite book |first=Mridu |last=Rai |title=Hindu Rulers, Muslim Subjects: Islam, Rights, and the History of Kashmir |publisher=C. Hurst & Co |year=2004 |isbn=978-1850656616 |ref={{sfnref|Mridu Rai|2004}}}}
* {{cite book|author=McMahon|title=The Cold War on the Periphery: The United States, India, and Pakistan|first=Robert J.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Deq32J9P4ZMC&pg=PA34|date=1994|publisher=Columbia University Press|isbn=978-0-231-51467-5}}
* {{Cite journal|last=Shakoor|first=Farzana|date=1998|title=UN and Kashmir|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/41394458|journal=Pakistan Horizon|volume=51|issue=2|pages=53–69|jstor=41394458|issn=0030-980X}}
* {{citation |first=Victoria |last=Schofield |author-link=Victoria Schofield |title=Kashmir in Conflict |publisher=I.B. Taurus & Co |location=London and New York |year=2003 |orig-year=First published in 2000 |isbn=978-1860648984 |url=https://archive.org/details/00book584554548 }}
* —{{cite book|author=Schofield|title=Kashmir in Conflict: India, Pakistan and the Unending War|first=Victoria|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iaT3AgAAQBAJ&pg=PT101|date= 2010|publisher=I.B. Tauris|isbn=978-0-85773-078-7}}
* {{citation |first=Christopher |last=Snedden |year=2013 |author-link=Christopher Snedden |title=Kashmir: The Unwritten History |publisher=HarperCollins India |isbn=978-9350298985 |orig-year=first published as ''The Untold Story of the People of Azad Kashmir'', 2012 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0cPjAAAAQBAJ}}
* {{citation |first=Sumathi |last=Subbiah |title=Security Council Mediation and the Kashmir Dispute: Reflections on Its Failures and Possibilities for Renewal |journal=Boston College International and Comparative Law Review |volume=27 |number=1 |year=2004 |url=http://lawdigitalcommons.bc.edu/iclr/vol27/iss1/8 |pages=173–185}}
* {{cite book |last=Varshney |first=Ashutosh |author-link=Ashutosh Varshney |chapter=Three Compromised Nationalisms: Why Kashmir has been a Problem |editor=Raju G. C. Thomas |title=Perspectives on Kashmir: the roots of conflict in South Asia |year=1992 |publisher=Westview Press |isbn=978-0-8133-8343-9 |pages= |chapter-url=https://apps.cndls.georgetown.edu/courses/rudolph/g238/files/Varshney-_1992-Why-Kashmir.pdf |url=https://archive.org/details/perspectivesonka00thom/page/191 }}
* {{cite book |last=Whitehead |first=Andrew |title=A Mission in Kashmir |publisher=Penguin India |year=2007 |url=https://www.andrewwhitehead.net/full-text-a-mission-in-kashmir.html }}


==External links== ==External links==
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{{United Nations}}
{{UN Peacekeeping Operations}} {{UN Peacekeeping Operations}}
{{Orders, decorations, and medals of the United Nations}}
{{Kashmir conflict}}
{{Authority control}}


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Latest revision as of 23:28, 25 November 2024

United Nations mediation of the India–Pakistan dispute in Kashmir

United Nations blue beret with UN badge worn by UN Military Observer Richard Cooper in India and Kashmir, c. 1973–1974

The United Nations has played an advisory role in maintaining peace and order in the Kashmir region soon after the independence and partition of British India into the dominions of Pakistan and India in 1947, when a dispute erupted between the two new States on the question of accession over the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir. India took this matter to the UN Security Council, which passed resolution 39 (1948) and established the United Nations Commission for India and Pakistan (UNCIP) to investigate the issues and mediate between the two new countries. Following the cease-fire of hostilities, it also established the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) to monitor the cease-fire line.

Overview

UNSC resolutions
concerning the Kashmir conflict
Notes
1948
1950
1951
1952
1957
1965
1971

1948–1951

Following the outbreak of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947, India's Governor General Mountbatten flew to Lahore on 1 November 1947 for a conference with Muhammad Ali Jinnah, proposing that, in all the princely States where the ruler did not accede to a Dominion corresponding to the majority population (which would have included Junagadh, Hyderabad as well Kashmir), the accession should be decided by an 'impartial reference to the will of the people'. Jinnah rejected the offer. The Prime Ministers Jawaharlal Nehru and Liaquat Ali Khan met again in December, where Nehru informed Khan of India's intention to refer the dispute to the United Nations under article 35 (Chapter VI) of the UN Charter, which allows the member states to bring to the Security Council attention situations `likely to endanger the maintenance of international peace'.

India sought resolution of the issue at the UN Security Council (UNSC) on 1 January 1948. Following the set-up of the United Nations Commission for India and Pakistan (UNCIP), the UN Security Council passed Resolution 47 on 21 April 1948. The measure imposed an immediate cease-fire and called on the Government of Pakistan 'to secure the withdrawal from the state of Jammu and Kashmir of tribesmen and Pakistani nationals not normally resident therein who have entered the state for the purpose of fighting.' It also asked Government of India to reduce its forces to minimum strength, after which the circumstances for holding a plebiscite should be put into effect 'on the question of Accession of the state to India or Pakistan.' However, it was not until 1 January 1949 that the ceasefire could be put into effect, signed by General Gracey on behalf of Pakistan and General Roy Bucher on behalf of India.

The UNCIP made three visits to the subcontinent between 1948 and 1949, trying to find a solution agreeable to both India and Pakistan. It reported to the Security Council in August 1948 that "the presence of troops of Pakistan" inside Kashmir represented a "material change" in the situation. A two-part process was proposed for the withdrawal of forces. In the first part, Pakistan was to withdraw its forces as well as other Pakistani nationals from the state. In the second part, "when the Commission shall have notified the Government of India" that Pakistani withdrawal has been completed, India was to withdraw the bulk of its forces. After both the withdrawals were completed, a plebiscite would be held. The resolution was accepted by India but effectively rejected by Pakistan.

The Indian government considered itself to be under legal possession of Jammu and Kashmir by virtue of the accession of the state. The assistance given by Pakistan to the rebel forces and the Pakhtoon tribes was held to be a hostile act and the further involvement of the Pakistan army was taken to be an invasion of Indian territory. From the Indian perspective, the plebiscite was meant to confirm the accession, which was in all respects already complete, and Pakistan could not aspire to an equal footing with India in the contest.

The Pakistan government held that the state of Jammu and Kashmir had executed a Standstill Agreement with Pakistan which precluded it from entering into agreements with other countries. It also held that the Maharaja had no authority left to execute accession because his people had revolted and he had to flee the capital. It believed that the Azad Kashmir movement as well as the tribal incursions were indigenous and spontaneous, and Pakistan's assistance to them was not open to criticism.

In short, India required an asymmetric treatment of the two countries in the withdrawal arrangements regarding Pakistan as an 'aggressor', whereas Pakistan insisted on parity. The UN mediators tended towards parity, which was not to India's satisfaction. In the end, no withdrawal was ever carried out, India insisting that Pakistan had to withdraw first, and Pakistan contending that there was no guarantee that India would withdraw afterwards. No agreement could be reached between the two countries on the process of demilitarisation.

Scholars have commented that the failure of the Security Council efforts of mediation owed to the fact that the council regarded the issue as a purely political dispute without investigating its legal underpinnings.

Period Adopted resolutions Notes
1948–1951

(First Kashmir War)

UNSC Resolution 38 India approaches the UN. UN requests the two parties to calm down.
UNSC Resolutions 39, 47, 51 UNSC establishes the UNCIP and issues instructions to it.
UNCIP Resolutions of 13 August 1948 and 5 January 1949 UNCIP unanimously adopts a resolution amending and amplifying the UN Resolution 47. It deals with a ceasefire, truce agreement and further consultation with the commission. This eventually leads to the Karachi agreement.
UNSC Resolutions 80, 91, 96, 98 UNCIP fails in its overall task. UNCIP terminated. UNMOGIP constituted. Ceasefire acknowledged. Demilitarization attempts furthered.

1951–1957

The India-Pakistan question was not a part of the agenda for the UNSC from 1953 and 1957. During this period, both India and Pakistan made internal decisions that worsened each other's perception of the other's stance on Kashmir. Pakistan became a part of the military alliances Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) and Central Treaty Organisation (CENTO). India saw nationalist movements from 1954 onwards. Organizations such as Bhartiya Jana Sangha demanded integration. The main trigger for Pakistan to appeal to the UNSC was the adoption of the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir in November 1956 which stated "The State of Jammu and Kashmir is and will be a part of Union of India".

Period Adopted resolutions Notes
1957 UNSC Resolutions 122 UNSC reminds both parties of previous resolutions.
Soviet Union veto Rejection of a joint draft resolution through Soviet veto on 20 February 1957
UNSC Resolutions 123, 126 "Resolution requesting the President of the Security Council to examine with India and Pakistan any proposals likely to contribute to the settlement of the dispute. Requesting the United Nations Representative of India and Pakistan to make any recommendations to the parties for further appropriate action with a view to making progress toward the implementation of the resolutions of the UNCIP and toward a peaceful settlement."

1962–1972

Through a letter on 1 January 1962 Pakistan asked for a meeting of the UNSC. Shortly after, India said that such a meeting was not required. This continued until the UNSC eventually held discussions on the India-Pakistan question on 1 February 1962 and between 27 April and 22 June 1962. Following the Second Kashmir War, India and Pakistan signed the Tashkent Declaration. The Tashkent Declaration by-passed the United Nations and was brokered by the Soviet Union. The liberation of Bangladesh and 1972 Simla Agreement made India harden its stance on aversion to United Nations mediation on Kashmir.

Period Adopted resolutions Notes
1962 Draft resolution dated 22 June 1962 not adopted The draft resolution failed adoption with 7 votes in favour and 2 against, with 2 abstentions. One of the negative votes was of the Soviet Union.
1965

(Second Kashmir War)

UNSC Resolutions 209, 210, 211, 214, 215 UN concerned about situation along ceasefire line. Demands ceasefire and that representatives of India and Pakistan meet with a representative of the secretary-general. Following a speech by the Pakistani Foreign Minister, India conducts a walkout from the UN. United Nations India-Pakistan Observation Mission (UNIPOM) successful.
1971

(Indo-Pakistani War of 1971)

UNSC Resolutions 303, 307 With respect to Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, UN calls for cessation of hostilities.

1972–present

1972 onwards, UNSC no longer passed any resolution on the India-Pakistan question. Pakistan independently and through bodies such as the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, continues to raise the issue at the United Nations General Assembly. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, and UN Secretary General over the years have commented upon the issue. The OHCHR came out with two reports in 2018 and 2019.

The UNMOGIP is still functional. According to the secretary-general the UNMOGIP can only be abolished through a UNSC decision.

Following the revocation of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, the UNSC discussed the Kashmir question at least three times. However no resolutions was taken and no statement issued.

Mediatory reports

Mediatory reports include:

McNaughton proposals

Andrew McNaughton

In December 1949 the Canadian president of the UNSC, General McNaughton, was requested by the council to approach the two states to solve the dispute. McNaughton issued both states on 22 December with his proposals and two days before his term as president of the council was to expire he reported back to the UNSC, on 29 December. But the council asked him to continue his mediation and he did so, submitting his final report on 3 February 1950.

His proposal enclosed a scheme whereby Pakistan and India would simultaneously withdraw their regular forces (excluding those Indian regular forces needed for security purposes). The Azad Kashmir forces and Kashmir State forces (and other militia) would both be demobilized. The Northern Areas would also be dimilitarised and its administration would remain with the local authorities, under UN supervision. Pakistan accepted his suggestions but India proposed two far-reaching amendments which amounted to a rejection.

The proposals treated India and Pakistan as equal participants in the dispute which was not acceptable to India. In India's view, Pakistan was present illegally in Kashmir while India was present legally. The United States warned India that it would have no option but to comply with any decision that the Security Council may opt for because by rejecting the McNaugton proposals it would be the third successive time India spurned the conclusions of a neutral UN representative, upon which Nehru accused the US of pressurizing his government. India's rejections of the McNaugton proposals were viewed by American policymakers as an example of Indian "intransigence."

The McNaughton proposals were popular in the Security Council, which then passed a resolution giving both states a time period of five months to arrange the demilitarisation scheme. India later accepted the draft resolution on 14 March 1950. The council then appointed Sir Owen Dixon as the next UN representative to the two countries; and he was tasked with administering McNaughton's demilitarisation scheme, which India had already rejected.

Dixon mission

Owen Dixon

On the Pakistani side of the ceasefire line, Sir Owen Dixon proposed that the areas demilitarized by Pakistan would be governed by the local authorities under supervision by the commission, according to the "law and custom" of the State before the conflict started. India opposed this idea because it believed that the local authorities were biased in Pakistan's favour and this would not be in India's interests. However, India did not offer any substitute ideas.

On the Indian side of the ceasefire line, Dixon proposed attaching a United Nations officer with each district magistrate who would be allowed to inspect and report on the magistrate's reports and proceedings. Nehru objected to this idea by claiming that it would intrude on the state's sovereignty. Nehru again offered no alternative idea.

Next, Dixon put before the prime ministers of the two countries some proposals such as establishing a coalition government between Sheikh Abdullah and Ghulam Abbas or distributing the portfolios between the various parties. Dixon's second suggestion was to establish a neutral government by respectable non-political people for a six-month period prior to a referendum, in which membership would be split between Hindus and Muslims equally, under United Nations supervision. Dixon's third suggestion was to install an administrative body made up completely of representatives from the UN. Nehru disagreed with all these suggestions. Sir Owen Dixon criticized India for its negative reactions to all the demilitarization proposals. Sir Owen Dixon took India to task in very strong language for its negative reactions to the various alternative proposals for demilitarisation.

Dixon next asked Nehru in the presence of the Pakistani Prime Minister whether it would be advisable to have plebiscites by region and allocate each region according to the results of a plebiscite in each. India reacted favourably to this plan. According to the Indian commentator Raghavan, it was first Nehru who proposed a partition-cum-plebiscite plan: Jammu and Ladakh would go to India, Azad Kashmir and Northern Areas to Pakistan, and a plebiscite would be held in the Kashmir Valley. Dixon favoured the plan, which bears his name till this day. Dixon agreed that people in Jammu and Ladakh were clearly in favour of India; equally clearly, those in Azad Kashmir and the Northern Areas wanted to be part of Pakistan. This left the Kashmir Valley and 'perhaps some adjacent country' around Muzaffarabad in uncertain political terrain. However, according to Dixon, Pakistan "bluntly rejected" the proposal. It believed that the plebiscite should be held in the entire state or the state should be partitioned along religious lines. Pakistan believed that India's commitment to a plebiscite for the whole of Jammu and Kashmir should not be departed from.

Dixon also had concerns that the Kashmiris, not being high-spirited people, may vote under fear or improper influences. Following Pakistan's objections, he proposed that Sheikh Abdullah administration should be held in "commission" (in abeyance) while the plebiscite was held. This was not acceptable to India. According to Raghavan, at this point, Dixon lost patience and declared failure.

Another reason India declined Dixon's proposals for a limited plebiscite was that India wanted to keep its own troops in Kashmir during the plebiscite, claiming they were necessary for "security reasons", but at the same time India did not want any Pakistani troops to remain. This contradicted the Dixon plan which had stipulated that neither India nor Pakistan would be permitted to retain troops in the plebiscite zone.

Dixon felt that India would not agree to demilitarisation and other provisions governing the plebiscite that guard against influence and abuse. In the absence of Indian demilitarization, the Pakistanis and the Azad forces were unwilling to demilitarise the territory under their administration. Dixon's final comment was to suggest that India and Pakistan be left to solve the situation on their own.

The failure of the Dixon mission served to increase the American ambassador Loy Henderson's distrust of India. Henderson in his own assessment upon visiting the Kashmir Valley observed that the majority of people in the Valley would vote to join Pakistan in a plebiscite rather than remain with India. He observed that if given the choice, most Kashmiris would opt for a third option: independence. Henderson believed that because of Indian allegations, kindled by Nehru, that America was biased in favour of Pakistan, the Americans ought to distance themselves from the Kashmir dispute, which Washington did so in 1950.

Frank Graham's mediation

Frank Porter Graham

Pakistan vetoed Ralph Bunche as the next mediator.

When Dixon's successor, Dr Frank Graham, arrived in the subcontinent during a time of tension, he tried to effect demilitarisation prior to a plebiscite but India and Pakistan could not agree on the number of troops who were to remain in Kashmir.

Dr Frank Graham was appointed by the Security Council as the UN representative for India and Pakistan on 30 April 1951. Dr Graham arrived in the subcontinent on 30 June 1951. The Graham mission had to reach an agreement between the two countries concerning the demilitarisation of Kashmir. Similar to the experience of previous UN representatives, Graham had first proposed a demilitarisation scheme which found acceptance from Pakistan but rejection from India. Thereafter, Graham gave an alternative proposal whereby both countries were to gradually reduce their forces to minimal levels and to the ratio of their presence in the state on 1 January 1949. This proposal was accepted by Pakistan but rejected by India.

Dr Graham offered a fresh set of proposals on 16 July 1952. By them Pakistan would reduce its forces to a quantity between 3,000 and 6,000 and India would reduce its troops numbers to between 12,000 and 16,000. But the state militias on the Indian side and the Gilgit and Northern Scouts on Pakistan's side were not included in these figures. Because Pakistan was hopeful for a plebiscite it accepted this plan but India did not accept it, perhaps because the question of irregular forces was not solved. Graham revised the figures so that 6,000 would be the limit of Pakistan's forces and 18,000 would be the limit for India's forces. The response of India was to propose that it be allowed to keep 21,000 troops (including the state militia) in its side but that Pakistan be allowed only a 4,000 strong civilian force. Dr Graham reported his failure to the Security Council, which subsequently passed a resolution in December 1951 calling for India and Pakistan to come to an agreement on reducing the size of their forces. The resolution requested Pakistan to reduce its military presence to 3,000–6,000 and that India to cut its own troop numbers to a number between 12,000 and 18,000. The Security Council urged both countries to consider Dr Graham's criterion for troop reductions which he had suggested on 4 September 1951. Pakistan agreed to the Security Council resolution but India did not and gave no reason for its rejection.

Graham then tried to make the mediation move forward and, without proposing a parallel increase of Pakistani forces, gave a proposal which would allow India to keep 21,000 troops as had been India's demand. This proposal was also unsuccessful. Dr Graham submitted a second report to the United Nations in December to recount the failure of his endeavors to achieve a demilitarisation for a plebiscite. His third submission to the UN in April 1952 relayed some headway on the demilitarisation question as both countries had begun withdrawing forces since March. But by the fourth report in October 1952 Graham had to inform the Security Council that the negotiations had stumbled again over the question of the size and type of forces to be permitted for both sides. The Security Council then adopted a resolution asking that the two nations hold direct talks over this question. There were talks in February 1953 in Geneva but the UN representative realised that this method would be unsuccessful. On 27 March 1953 Dr Graham presented his final report and his mediatory efforts ended. The two questions during this mediation which India and Pakistan differed upon was the number of troops to remain after demilitarisation on each side and when the plebiscite administrator could assume their tasks.

United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan

United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan
120pxm
AbbreviationUNMOGIP
Formation30 March 1951; 73 years ago (1951-03-30)
TypePeacekeeping Mission
Legal statusActive
HeadquartersIslamabad (November to April) and Srinagar (May to October)
Parent organizationUnited Nations Security Council
Websiteunmogip.unmissions.org

The Security Council Resolution 47 (1948) also enlarged the membership of the UNCIP to five members. India and Pakistan signed the Karachi Agreement in July 1949 and established a ceasefire line to be supervised by observers. The first group of these unarmed observers arrived in the mission area in January 1949 to oversee the ceasefire between India and Pakistan. After the termination of the UNCIP, the Security Council passed Resolution 91 (1951) and established a United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) to observe and report violations of ceasefire.

After the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, the two countries signed the Simla Agreement in 1972 to define the Line of Control in Kashmir. India and Pakistan disagree on UNMOGIP's mandate in Kashmir because India argued that the mandate of UNMOGIP has lapsed after the Simla agreement because it was specifically established to observe ceasefire according to the Karachi Agreement.

However, the secretary-general of the United Nations maintained that the UNMOGIP should continue to function because no resolution has been passed to terminate it. India has partially restricted the activities of the unarmed 45 UN observers on the Indian side of the Line of Control on the grounds that the mandate of UNMOGIP has lapsed.

Despite the limitations on its mandate, UNMOGIP continues to operate in the region by reporting on the situation along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir. The primary tasks of UNMOGIP include observing and reporting, investigating complaints of ceasefire violations, and submitting its findings to each party and to the Secretary-General. The mission plays a crucial role in monitoring and reporting on the situation along the Line of Control (LoC), thereby contributing to the maintenance of peace and stability in the region.

UNMOGIP has encountered several obstacles in fulfilling its mandate. These include restrictions on the movement of UNMOGIP officials, long delays in obtaining visas, and difficulties in conducting operational tasks.

In 2023, a high-ranking UN official reported that the ceasefire along the LoC is being maintained, with only two violations reported. Moreover, the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, has stated that the government will investigate the issue regarding the closure of the United Nations office in Kashmir.

Gallery

  • UN observers monitor a border discussion between Indian and Pakistani officers, 1962 UN observers monitor a border discussion between Indian and Pakistani officers, 1962
  • Muhammad Farooq Rehmani, Hurriyat Conference, presenting a memo to UN officials in Azad Kashmir, 2005 Muhammad Farooq Rehmani, Hurriyat Conference, presenting a memo to UN officials in Azad Kashmir, 2005

See also

References

  1. Noorani 2014, pp. 13–14.
  2. Schofield 2003, pp. 67–68.
  3. Wellens, Karel (1990), Resolutions and Statements of the United Nations Security Council: (1946–1989); a Thematic Guide, Brill, pp. 322–, ISBN 978-0-7923-0796-9
  4. Schofield 2003, pp. 68–69.
  5. Schofield 2003, p. 70.
  6. Varshney 1992, p. 211.
  7. ^ Korbel 1953, p. 502.
  8. Schofield 2003, pp. 70–71.
  9. Schofield 2003, pp. 71–72.
  10. Schofield 2003, pp. 82–85.
  11. Varshney 1992, p. 212.
  12. Korbel 1953, pp. 506–507.
  13. Korbel 1953, p. 507.
  14. Subbiah 2004, p. 180.
  15. Ankit 2013, pp. 276, 279.
  16. ^ "1946 – 1951. Chapter VIII. Consideration of questions under the council's responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. Part II. The India-Pakistan question" (PDF). UNSC Repertoire. Repertoire of the Practice of the Security Council. pp. 344–352. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  17. Shakoor 1998, p. 59.
  18. ^ "1956–1958 (2nd supplement). Chapter VIII. Consideration of questions under the council's responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. Part II. The India-Pakistan question" (PDF). UNSC Repertoire. Repertoire of the Practice of the Security Council. pp. 112–115. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  19. ^ "1959–1963 (3rd supplement). Chapter VIII. Consideration of questions under the council's responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. Part II. The India-Pakistan question" (PDF). UNSC Repertoire. Repertoire of the Practice of the Security Council. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
  20. ^ Shakoor 1998, p. 53.
  21. Shakoor 1998, pp. 53–54.
  22. ^ "1964–1965 (4th supplement). Chapter VIII. Consideration of questions under the council's responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. Part II. The India-Pakistan question" (PDF). UNSC Repertoire. Repertoire of the Practice of the Security Council. pp. 100–108.
  23. Haidar, Suhasini (1 September 2015). "India's walkout from UNSC was a turning point: Natwar". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
  24. Reford, Robert W. (1972). "UNIPOM: success of a mission". International Journal. 27 (3): 405–423. doi:10.1177/002070207202700304. ISSN 0020-7020. JSTOR 25733948. S2CID 151745499.
  25. "United Nations India-Pakistan Observer Mission (UNIPOM)". Government of Canada. 3 June 2019. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  26. Chakravarty, Pinak Ranjan (2 December 2020). "Why India need not worry about Pakistan's efforts to instigate OIC". ORF. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  27. "Jammu and Kashmir Consultations". www.securitycouncilreport.org (Security Council Report). Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  28. "UN discusses Kashmir for third time since India ended autonomy". Al Jazeera. 6 August 2020. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  29. ^ Khan, Rahmatullah (1969). "The Kashmir Problem: Its Handling in the United Nations". Journal of the Indian Law Institute. 11 (3): 273–292. ISSN 0019-5731. JSTOR 43950029.
  30. Gupta 1968, pp. 153–155.
  31. Gupta 1968, p. 154.
  32. ^ Schofield 2010, pp. 101–. Although Pakistan agreed to his proposals, India did not.
  33. McMahon 1994, pp. 60–.
  34. Schaffer 2009, pp. 28–. U.S. policymakers considered India's rejection the worst example yet of its intransigence
  35. Gupta 1968, pp. 156-.
  36. Korbel 2015, pp. 168–.
  37. ^ Gupta 1968, p. 159.
  38. Gupta 1968, p. 160. He summed up his impressions in very strong language, sharply taking India to task for its negative attitude towards the various alternative demilitarization proposals.
  39. Gupta 1968, p. 161-162.
  40. ^ Raghavan 2010, pp. 188–189.
  41. Snedden, Christopher (2005), "Would a plebiscite have resolved the Kashmir dispute?", South Asia: Journal of South Asian Studies, 28 (1): 64–86, doi:10.1080/00856400500056145, S2CID 145020726
  42. ^ Gupta 1968, pp. 161–162.
  43. Korbel 2015, p. 173–.
  44. Hilali 1997, p. 75.
  45. Snedden, Christopher (2005). "Would a plebiscite have resolved the Kashmir dispute?". South Asia: Journal of South Asian Studies. 28: 64–86. doi:10.1080/00856400500056145. S2CID 145020726.
  46. Bradnock, Robert W. (998), "Regional geopolitics in a globalising world: Kashmir in geopolitical perspective", Geopolitics, 3 (2): 11, doi:10.1080/14650049808407617
  47. Schofield 2003, p. 83.
  48. Schofield 2003, pp. 83–.
  49. Schaffer 2009, pp. 30–.
  50. Schaffer 2009, p. 31.
  51. Schofield 2003, pp. 83–86.
  52. Hilali 1997, p. 76.
  53. ^ Hilali 1997, p. 77.
  54. "Stories from the UN Archive: Keeping the peace over decades | UN News". 29 May 2024.
  55. "Background". 28 September 2016.
  56. "Background". 28 September 2016.
  57. "UNMOGIP Background". Archived from the original on 3 July 2017. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
  58. Shucksmith, Christy; White, Nigel D. (2015). "United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP)". In Joachim Alexander Koops; Norrie MacQueen; Thierry Tardy; Paul D. Williams (eds.). The Oxford Handbook of United Nations Peacekeeping Operations. Oxford University Press. pp. 139–. ISBN 978-0-19-968604-9.
  59. "Background". 28 September 2016.
  60. "UN official says ceasefire along LoC holding". 24 February 2024.
  61. "India curbs undermining peacekeeping operations in occupied Kashmir: UN". 5 January 2023.
  62. "UNMOGIP in Srinagar, LG Says the Issue Will be Looked into". 12 February 2024.
  63. "UN official says ceasefire along LoC holding". 24 February 2024.
  64. "UN official says ceasefire along LoC holding". 24 February 2024.
  65. "UNMOGIP in Srinagar, LG Says the Issue Will be Looked into". 12 February 2024.

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