Expert outlines features of new India-Pakistan conflict: What does Hamas have to do with it?
Illustrative photo: a conflict has erupted between India and Pakistan (Getty Images)
Another conflict has erupted between India and Pakistan. This occurred after an attack on tourists in the Kashmir province, notes Natalia Butyrska, an expert on East Asia and a master of foreign policy, in a comment to the RBC-Ukraine YouTube channel.
Comparison with Hamas
She noted that the key difference between the new conflict and the old ones is that civilians, rather than military personnel, were attacked.
"Therefore, some media in India drew parallels, certain comparisons, with how Hamas also carried out an attack on Israel, targeting civilians," Butyrska explained.
Features of the conflict
According to her, eyewitnesses of the attack on tourists in Kashmir report that seven terrorists (Pakistanis and local residents of the province) shot people based on their religious identity. Their targets were Hindus and representatives of other religions (essentially everyone except Muslims).
One Muslim tourist tried to help others, attempting to wrestle the weapon from the terrorists' hands, but he was shot.
"This conflict has been ongoing since 1947 and is largely based on religion because Pakistan has a Muslim population, while India has a Hindu population. However, a part of Kashmir, specifically Jammu and Kashmir, which now belongs to India, still has a Muslim population. It was this part that demanded to join the Pakistani side, and religious disputes were the basis for the wars," the expert explained.
At the same time, when these territories were a British colony, the division was not based on ethnic or religious lines. The bloodshed severely impacted the relations between the two countries, and an unresolved conflict emerged.
"When acts of terrorism like this occur, as they are perceived in India, by people connected to Pakistan, as India believes, they are directed by Pakistan to destabilize the situation," Butyrska added.
India's withdrawal from the Indus Water Treaty
According to the expert, the Indus Water Treaty was a moment of understanding between India and Pakistan. Such an agreement was meant to bring peace between the two countries, as "water is the economy." However, conflicts have not been stopped by it.
As a result of this treaty, it was agreed that three rivers flowing on the western side would provide water to Pakistan, while three rivers on the eastern side would provide water to India.
After the terrorist attack on tourists in Kashmir, India decided to suspend its participation in this agreement.
"This is very important for Pakistan because over 25% of their agricultural land is irrigated by these waters, so this is a significant loss," she added.
The new conflict between India and Pakistan over the attack on tourists in Kashmir became known a few days ago. For more details, see the RBC-Ukraine material.
