Population: India 1.3 billion . . . Pakistan 182 million
Pakistan is a threat to India only because of nuclear weapons
China kept at bay by Himalayas
Split in 1947: 15 million displaced; 1 million die
Pakistan government does not control tribal areas on border with Afghanistan; India govt does not truly control all its vast regions
Urdu is official language--spoken by those who fled India. Those already in Pakistan, Sinds and Pashtuns resent the outsiders
Baluchistan (not an Urdu speaking area) on the Arabian Sea 45% of country's land and much of its mineral wealth, though not much population. Chinese building a port there
Kashmir is the thorn--water security for Pakistan (Indus River starts there)
Afghanistan is also an engagement area. Pakistan supports (sort of) the Taliban until 9/11 and has been opposed to the Taliban (sort of, since) Pakistan would like to go back to easier relations with the Taliban and the Pashtuns in Afghanistan and Pakistan
Pakistan has no natural defense against an attack by India, hence nuclear weapons
India watches Pakistan closely, and China also. Nepal is a buffer; Himalayas are daunting
Sikhs: 21 million . . . Muslims: 150 million
conflict internally is always possible; there is even a region that is 75% Baptist. and could desire to separate as a Christian state. However, these conflicts come and go; the conflict with Pakistan (and the danger) is likely forever.
Pakistan is a threat to India only because of nuclear weapons
China kept at bay by Himalayas
Split in 1947: 15 million displaced; 1 million die
Pakistan government does not control tribal areas on border with Afghanistan; India govt does not truly control all its vast regions
Urdu is official language--spoken by those who fled India. Those already in Pakistan, Sinds and Pashtuns resent the outsiders
Baluchistan (not an Urdu speaking area) on the Arabian Sea 45% of country's land and much of its mineral wealth, though not much population. Chinese building a port there
Kashmir is the thorn--water security for Pakistan (Indus River starts there)
Afghanistan is also an engagement area. Pakistan supports (sort of) the Taliban until 9/11 and has been opposed to the Taliban (sort of, since) Pakistan would like to go back to easier relations with the Taliban and the Pashtuns in Afghanistan and Pakistan
Pakistan has no natural defense against an attack by India, hence nuclear weapons
India watches Pakistan closely, and China also. Nepal is a buffer; Himalayas are daunting
Sikhs: 21 million . . . Muslims: 150 million
conflict internally is always possible; there is even a region that is 75% Baptist. and could desire to separate as a Christian state. However, these conflicts come and go; the conflict with Pakistan (and the danger) is likely forever.
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