I was a sandwich artist at Subway. My co-worker was an Indian Sikh elder, whom I addressed as Bhakshiji. She was 48 years old and I, 17. We became best friends and have remained so to the present day. We would talk about Bhangra, Bollywood movies, Indian dramas, and boys. Each time she encountered a Pakistani boy, she would make herself the wing-woman. We joked and gossiped. But when the Nov. 28, 2008 attacks occurred, we were put in an awkward position. We did not even comment on the tensions but on the number dead. The tragic circumstances made me wonder why such a precious friendship was inevitably be overwhelmed by an event with huge political and religious connotations. Should friendships always push aside the political and religious question, or should friendships learn to reconcile with these controversial identities? I believe that learning to confront it with neutrality and hopes for peace is best.
As vice president of the Organization of Pakistani Students, I offered my concerns and suggested creating an event targeting Indian and Pakistani students facing a similar dilemma. My fellow board members agreed, and so OPS embarked on spearheading an event calling for constructive engagement and discussion of Pakistan-India relations. The event will feature a panel discussion by notable scholars who will assess what feasible approaches can exist for peace in the region.
It is important to note that the event is not created for the purpose of provoking tensions amongst Indian and Pakistani students but rather to show that, while political tensions are pushed aside in attempts to avoid the very question that can split apart our great relationship, it is necessary that we confront it with optimism, for if November 28, 2008 repeats itself, we will know how to confront it in ways that will preserve our friendship. In preparation for the event, please refer to the following timeline to get an understanding of the historical importance of the conflict. (Please note: due to the limit in length, we had to omit several events).
August 1947: Birth of the state of Pakistan amid rioting between Hindus and Muslims.
October 1947: The first Indo-Pakistani war over Kashmir.
January 1949: Ceasefire was arranged by the United Nations, which recommended that both India and Pakistan should adhere to their commitment to hold a referendum in the state.
August 1965: Second Indo-Pakistani war over Kashmir. After three weeks, both India and Pakistan agreed to an U.N.-sponsored ceasefire.
January 1966: The governments of India and Pakistan met at Tashkent and signed a declaration affirming their commitment to solve their disputes through peaceful means.
December 1971: Third Indo-Pakistani war over East Pakistan, leading to birth of the state of Bangladesh on December 6.
December 1971: The Line of Control is designated as the ceasefire line between Jammu and Kashmir.
1974: Kashmir state government reached an accord with the Indian government, which affirmed its status as “a constituent unit of the union of India.” Pakistan rejects the accord.
1984: Indian troops were airlifted to the Siachen glacier in northern Kashmir which increased tension in the area.
1988: India and Pakistan signed an agreement not to attack each other’s nuclear facilities.
1989: Armed resistance to Indian rule began in the Kashmir valley.
1996: Pakistani and Indian military officers met on the Line of Controldividing the state of Jammu and Kashmir to ease tension after clashes
1997: Indian and Pakistani foreign ministers met in Delhi. After a second round of talks in Islamabad, they announced an eight-point agenda for peace talks, including discussion of the Kashmir issue. Although the talks ended in stalemate, both sides promised to meet again.
May 1998: India conducts underground nuclear tests in the western desert state of Rajasthan near the border with Pakistan. In response, Pakistan conducted six tests in Baluchistan. Both sides were heavily criticized by the international community for the tests as fears of a nuclear confrontation grew leading to economic sanctions on both countries.
February 1990: Indian Prime Minister Atal Vajpayee met with Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. They signed the Lahore accord pledging again to “intensify their efforts to resolve all issues, including the issue of Jammu and Kashmir.”
May 1999: India launches air strikes against Pakistani-backed forces that had infiltrated Indian-administered Kashmir. At the height of the conflict, thousands of shells were fired daily, and India launched hundreds of airstrikes. (The Red Cross reported that at least 30,000 people had been forced to flee their homes on the Pakistani side of the Line of Control. Correspondents reported that about 20,000 people became refugees on the Indian side)
October 2000: Attack on the Kashmiri assembly in Srinagar in which 38 people were killed.
December 2001: Gunmen attacked Indian parliament.
January 2002: President Musharraf gave a keynote speech pledging that Pakistan would not allow terrorists to operate from Pakistani soil.
November 2003: Pakistan announced ceasefire in Kashmir. India accepted and truce took effect on November 26.
June 2004: The two agreed to set up a nuclear hotline, renew ban on nuclear testing, re-open Karachi and Mumbai consulates and restore size of New Delhi and Islamabad embassies.
July 2006: Bomb blasts in India’s financial capital Mumbai killed more than 180 people. Peace talks were canceled.
Nov. 26, 2008: Mumbai attacks in which more than 120 people were killed.
The author is a Columbia College junior majoring in history. She is the vice president of the Organization of Pakistani Students (OPS).
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