In newly shared documents by India, four members of a Pakistan-based terrorist organization were seen going into Kashmir in an attempt to attack the state. When they were stopped by police at a checkpoint, the four men shot first, but they were eventually killed by the police force. Pakistani officials deny any association with the four men, instead they turned the blame on India by saying that Indian officials are distracting from their own issues in Kashmir. This move by Pakistan caused Indian security to call upon their biggest ally, China, to prevent more terrorist attacks from Jaish-e-Mohammad, the terrorist organization located in Pakistan.
These actions are not surprising for India and Pakistan. Throughout history India and Pakistan have been each other’s biggest enemies. As the article mentions, Pakistan and India have been to war over Kashmir territory twice already because of its waterway that is not typical for that region of the world. Because this is a territorial dispute, it’s difficult not to arm themselves immediately. It is also hard to distinguish between a terrorist organization and the actions of their government, especially in that region. Since tensions are currently high, it wouldn’t be surprising to see more attacks or allegations to come out from either side.
In this conflict, India and Pakistan have the same national interest in Kashmir- the waterway. The specific waterway is essential for travel and water supply. Instead of combining their efforts into negotiating a trade deal or territory re-shaping, they chose to attack one another. The peace treaty is easier said than done, due to the history between the two countries. Interdependence of Kashmir could be a solution, if their national interest in using Kashmir’s resources wasn’t so high. This complex issue cannot be solved through one single legislation because it has not worked so far. The solution may need a longer time to develop with other foreign nations to counsel.