Kashmir

Kashmir is a stunning and captivating land that abounds with natural beauty.   Adorned by snow-capped mountains, wildflower meadows, immense glaciers, and sparkling lakes, Kashmir has often been likened to heaven on earth.   However, this pristine image of Kashmir has been replaced by a much more frightening one.   India and Pakistan both claim ownership of Kashmir and this dispute has resulted in two major wars as well as thousands of deaths, human rights violations, and atrocious acts of aggression.   Since 1947, Kashmir has been the main source of contention between these bitter rival nations.   When both countries emerged as nuclear powers in 1998, the world feared that the Kashmir dispute would escalate into a nuclear confrontation. Thus far, efforts to ameliorate the situation have had little success.   Steps must be taken to improve Kashmir because the status quo is clearly unacceptable. This paper proposes a plan to resolve the Kashmir issue.   The proposal suggests that India and Pakistan strike a deal with the United Nations and cooperate to improve the future of Kashmir.   The paper begins by presenting the history of the hostile relations between India and Pakistan to put the situation of Kashmir into perspective.   It then goes on to explain the current issues that exist in Kashmir.   Finally, the paper details the exact measures that need to take place to make the deal between India, Pakistan, and the UN successful.  
History
To put the current situation of Kashmir into perspective, it is necessary to understand the history of the troubled relations between India and Pakistan.   Ever since 1947 when Britain partitioned the Indian Empire, a bitter rivalry has existed between the two countries.   The largest manifestation of their hostility is in the Kashmir dispute which has been the cause of two out of the three wars between India and Pakistan and has recently resulted in a nuclear arms race.  
After India achieved independence from Britain in 1947, Britain...