What are the reasons behind the enmity of India and Pakistan? Why does the United States consider both to be pivotal countries?


The partition of colonial India precipitated all kinds of problems for the new countries. Since 1947, India and Pakistan have been in conflict over the status of Kashmir, a disputed province straddling their northern border. Before independence, Kashmir was a princely state administered by a Hindu maharaja. About three-fourths of Kashmir's estimated population of 15 million is Muslim, which is the basis of Pakistan's claim to the territory. But under the partition arrangements, the ruler of each princely state was to have the right to join either India or Pakistan, as he preferred. Kashmir's Hindu ruler chose India, which is the legal basis of India's claim. Both countries claim water rights in the Kashmir region.
The U.S. considers these countries pivotal because both have nuclear weapons. An escalation of tension between the countries could result in the destruction of both.

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

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