Notes on Modern India and Pakistan

Modern India

  • Development into a Major Power
    • Gained independence on August 15, 1947.
    • Became the world's largest democracy.
    • Key Historical Figures:
      • Jawaharlal Nehru: 1st Prime Minister (1947-1964)
        • Follower of Mohandas Gandhi.
        • Gandhi's assassination on January 30, 1948 led to national devastation.
      • Indira Gandhi: Prime Minister (1966-1977, 1980-1984)
        • Major issue faced: Sikh extremists.
        • Indian troops attacked Golden Temple, Amritsar (June 1984).
        • Assassinated by her Sikh bodyguards in retaliation, leading to communal violence.
      • Atal Bihari Vajpayee: Prime Minister (1998-2004)
        • Increased nuclear capabilities amid tensions with Pakistan over Kashmir.
      • Manmohan Singh: Prime Minister (2004-2014)
        • Tackled population growth and globalization.
        • First Sikh Prime Minister.
        • Notable achievement: Long-range missile tests (successful in 2012).
      • Narendra Modi: Current Prime Minister (2014-Present)
        • Leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (Hindu Nationalist Party).
        • Denied U.S. visa in 2005 due to anti-Muslim violence.
    • Government Structure: Federal parliamentary republic.

Population and Pollution

  • Population: Approximately 1.4 billion; surpassed China as the most populous country in 2022.
  • Pollution: 8th most polluted nation globally.
    • Main causes: Industrial activity, vehicular emissions, and crop-burning.
    • Consequences: Estimated 2 million premature deaths per year.

Modern Pakistan (1947-Today)

  • Concerns from the U.S. regarding Pakistan relate to instability and terrorism.
  • Historical Context:
    • Independence led to the formation of Pakistan in 1947, divided into West and East Pakistan based on Islam only, with divergent socio-economic realities.
    • East Pakistan's Independence: March 26, 1971, created Bangladesh.
      • Civil war ensued; India intervened supporting Bangladesh.
    • First Leader of Pakistan: Muhammad Ali Jinnah (Governor-General, 1947-1948).
    • Zia-ul-Haq: President (1978-1988).
      • Seized power in a coup (1977).
      • Promoted Islamic teachings; increased military presence and influence in Afghanistan through operations against the Soviet Union.
      • Received $3.2 billion from the U.S. for support in the Afghan conflict (1979-1989).
    • Benazir Bhutto: Notable as a two-time elected female Prime Minister (1988-1990, 1993-1996).

Nuclear Weapons and Conflicts

  • Nuclear Development:
    • Pakistan tested nuclear weapons in 1998.
    • Kashmir Conflict: Series of wars, notably the 1999 Kargil War (4th conflict).
      • Resulted in General Pervez Musharraf's military coup bringing him to power.
    • Abdul Qadeer Khan: Key figure in Pakistan's nuclear program; controversial for proliferation activities—implicated in selling nuclear technology to rogue states.
  • Post-9/11 Dynamics:
    • Musharraf aligned with the U.S. after September 11, 2001, supporting U.S. actions in Afghanistan.
    • Ongoing struggle against the Taliban; increased attacks in Pakistan post-2005.

Recent Political Developments in Pakistan

  • Caretaker Government: Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar named interim Prime Minister (2023-2024).
  • Current Prime Minister: Shehbaz Sharif (assumed office on March 4, 2024).
  • Government Structure: Federal parliamentary republic, similar to India.