Gilgit-Baltistan

Gilgit-Baltistan is the extended northern part of Jammu & Kashmir that was a part of India under British rule before 1947. The British government in India before Indian independence had taken the region in lease from the ruler Hari Singh. The consistent ceasefire between India and Pakistan after the partition in 1947 had resulted in Pakistan entering into an agreement with the provisional government of Azad Jammu & Kashmir in 1949 in order to take over the Pakistani troops and its foreign affairs. Under this agreement, the provisional government also ceded the administration of Gilgit-Baltistan to Pakistan. This region has been a matter of concern for both India and Pakistan and the countries still have clashed over the claim of this extended northern part of Jammu & Kashmir.  Various dimensions regarding this topic will be discussed in this post to enhance the knowledge and better understanding of this topic. 

Gilgit-Baltistan

Gilgit-Baltistan is the northern area of extended Jammu & Kashmir that has been administered by Pakistan as an autonomous territory. This region consists of the northern portion of the larger part of Kashmir which continues to be a matter of dispute between India and Pakistan. The early historical past of this region has been linked with Western Tibet, the chief rulers of Leh. This region is somewhat related to China as it shares its northern border with an autonomous religion of China. This has been a reason for dispute among India and China for a long time as China also wanted to conquer this region. The region was formerly administered by Hindu Dogras under the paramountcy of British rule after the British defeated Sikhs in the Anglo-Sikh war. However, after the partition of India into two countries due to disagreement between the Indian National Congress and Muslim League, this part of Northern Kashmir formed the new states of Pakistan. 

Gilgit-Baltistan is popularly known for its rock carvings, especially those that are present in the ancient village of Hunza that suggests human existence since 2000 BC. After a few centuries of human settlement in the Tibetan plateau, the Baltistan area was inhabited by a Tibetan population that was preceded by the Balti people. Today, the Baltistan region bears striking similarities with the physical and cultural specifications of Ladakh. 

Pakistan occupied Kashmir

India and Pakistan have fought several wars over the territory of Azad Jammu & Kashmir which has established the rough boundaries that these countries share today. Geographically, Pakistan holds roughly one-third of the total area of Jammu & Kashmir whereas India holds one half of the total region of this Muslim Majority state. The dividing line of control between Azad Jammu& Kashmir and the two countries was developed by United Nation Organizations. The original Jammu & Kashmir that was acceded to India in 1947 comprised around 2,22,236 sq km in area. However, today India physically occupies only 1,06,566 sq. Km of the state, with Pakistan occupying 72,935 sq. km less 5,180 sq km of the region of Shaksgam valley that was leased to China in 1963. China occupied Kashmir (COK) comprises around 42,735 sq. Km as per latest data. The entire state of J&K was assigned to Maharaja Hari Singh after the partition of undivided India. However, after massive infiltration of Pakistan, a deal of accession was signed on 26th October 1947. The British barrister Cyril Redcliffe was assigned the job of drawing borders between newly established Pakistan and independent India within 5 weeks. Partition line created by Redcliffe resulted in a massive war between India and Pakistan which according to estimations has killed over one million people and has displaced more than 12 million people of both countries.

Why is Kashmir important to India?

Kashmir holds specific significance to India as it serves the country in multiple ways. Besides, conflicts with Pakistan over Kashmir have caused a matter of dignity for our country to occupy the region that has been illegally occupied by Pakistan. Kashmir is considered to be the most volatile region around the world due to conflicts over its region between India and Pakistan. In order to acquire the area of extended Kashmir, India and Pakistan have fought three major and two minor wars due to which this topic has gained international recognition. Kashmir serves as a bridge to other southern countries of Asia which can help India to improve its business relations with other Asian countries. Besides, the presence of the Indus river is one of the greatest reasons why Kashmir is very important since this river plays a crucial role in improving the agricultural condition of a country. In terms of India, Kashmir is the only route that leads to Central Asia and Europe Central Asia. Therefore, this state acts as a connector of India to Central Asia and Europe.

Conclusion

It can be summarized from this study that Gilgit-Baltistan has been disputed by India that borders the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to the west, and Azad Kashmir to the southwest of this region. Besides, it has bordered the India administered region of Jammu & Kashmir to its southern and southeastern region.  Gilgit-Baltistan was not originally administered as Pakistan’s province in 1947 after the partition of Pakistan from India.