Pakistan

Sir Syed Ahmed Khan

October 17, 1817 - March 27 1898 was an Indian educator and politician, and an Islamic reformer and modernist[2][3]. Sir Syed pioneered modern education for the Muslim community in India by founding the Muhammedan Anglo-Oriental College, which later developed into the Aligarh Muslim University. His work gave rise to a new generation of Muslim intellectuals and politicians who composed the Aligarh movement to secure the political future of Muslims in India.

Born into Mughal nobility, Sir Syed earned a reputation as a distinguished scholar while working as a jurist for the British East India Company. During the Indian Rebellion of 1857 he remained loyal to the British and was noted for his actions in saving European lives.[2] After the rebellion he penned the booklet Asbab-e-Baghawat-e-Hind (The Causes of the Indian Mutiny) - a daring critique, at the time, of British policies that he blamed for causing the revolt. Believing that the future of Muslims was threatened by the rigidity of their orthodox outlook, Sir Syed began promoting Western-style scientific education by founding modern schools and journals and organising Muslim intellectuals. Towards this goal, Sir Syed founded the Muhammedan Anglo-Oriental College in 1875 with the aim of promoting social and economic development of Indian Muslims.

One of the most influential Muslim politicians of his time, Sir Syed was suspicious of the Indian independence movement and called upon Muslims to loyally serve the British Raj. He denounced nationalist organisations such as the Indian National Congress, instead forming organisations to promote Muslim unity and pro-British attitudes and activities. Sir Syed promoted the adoption of Urdu as the lingua franca of all Indian Muslims, and mentored a rising generation of Muslim politicians and intellectuals. Although hailed as a great Muslim leader and social reformer, Sir Syed remains the subject of controversy for his views on Hindu-Muslim issues.

Apart from other historical and political issues between India and Pakistan, Kashmir India Conflicts form the foremost basis of unfriendly relations between the two nations. Pakistan maintains the Kashmiris right for self determination and wants to hold a plebiscite but India on the other hand insists that with Maharaja's signing of the Instrument of Accession Kashmir belong to India, and on these basis there is no need to hold a plebiscite. Moreover in the sixty years, a number of free and fair elections have been conducted in Kashmir and in those elections no separatist or secessionist has been elected which shows that Indian people want to have Indian authority, as declared by India.

Many wars are fought between India and Pakistan. Among other issues, Kashmir India Conflict was one of the major reasons for this war. The hostile relations between India and Pakistan speeded up when Pakistan started the Operation Gibraltar which was designated to speed up a state of insurgency in Kashmir against the Indian rule and resulted in 1965 Indo Pak war. For five weeks the rebellion was fought between the nations and resulted in thousands of casualties. Relations between India and Pakistan further worsen when Kargil war occurred. During the winter months of 1998-98, the Indian army moves downhill from the very high peaks of Kargil sector in Kashmir. Pakistani Army, taking the advantage of their position, moved across the Line of Control and occupied the empty posts. When snow melted, Indian army came to know this, and resulted in an intense fight between India and Pakistan. This is known as the Kargil Conflict.

Apart from wars related to Kashmir India Conflicts, other territorial disputes are also between India and Pakistan, such as the Siachen Glacier and the Kori Creek. Pakistan is also involved in talks with India over the issue of construction of a Dam over the Chenab river of Jammu and Kashmir. According to some reports of Council of Foreign Relations, some Pakistani groups have provided assistance to terrorist groups active in Kashmir against Indians. They have their headquarters in Pakistani Administered Kashmir. On October 1, 2001, a car bomb exploded near the Jammu and Kashmir State Assembly killing almost 27 people. Later investigations revealed that Pakistan was solely responsible for this insurgent attack. On the other hand, Pakistan claims that Indian intelligence agency RAW is creating insurgency in Pakistan.

In 2004, Pakistani President Pervaiz Musharraf and Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee agreed to normalize the relations between two countries and to solve the Kashmir problem. Kashmir India Conflict has been a cause of two wars and between the two nations in the last 60 years. There has been a little progress since then to strengthen the friendly relations between two nations. President Pervaiz Musharraf has declared that it is not possible to discuss trade and other subjects with India unless the core issue of dispute i.e. Kashmir is not discussed.