Why Did Bharat Not Gain Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) Even After Winning Multiple Wars?

Paromita Das

GG News Bureau

New Delhi, 4^th September. Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) is a region that has been at the center of the territorial dispute between Bharat and Pakistan since 1947. Despite Bharat winning multiple wars against Pakistan, it has not managed to reclaim PoK. This is due to a combination of factors including geopolitical constraints, international interventions, military challenges, and the looming risk of nuclear conflict. While PoK remains constitutionally part of Bharat, it is controlled by Pakistan, creating a complex situation with no easy resolution. Understanding the history, strategic dynamics, and political challenges surrounding this dispute sheds light on why PoK remains under Pakistan’s control even today.

What is PoK (Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir)?

Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, often referred to as PoK, is a region that lies to the west of the Bharatiya-administered Jammu and Kashmir (now a Union Territory of India). This territory includes parts of what Pakistan calls “Azad Jammu and Kashmir” (AJK) and the Northern Areas (now referred to as Gilgit-Baltistan by Pakistan). PoK spans an area of around 13,297 square kilometers and is home to approximately 4.6 million people.

Historically, this region has been part of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir, which was under the rule of Maharaja Hari Singh before the partition of British Bharat in 1947. The region became disputed after both Bharat and Pakistan laid claim to Kashmir, following the Maharaja’s decision to accede to Bharat under duress from an invasion by Pakistani tribal militias. The matter of PoK has been a focal point of conflict ever since.

Why Did Bharat Not Regain PoK Despite Winning Wars?

1. Geopolitical Restraints: Bharat and Pakistan have fought several wars over Kashmir (1947-48, 1965, 1971, and the Kargil conflict in 1999). Although Bharat had the military upper hand in many of these conflicts, it did not translate to the recovery of PoK. One of the main reasons is the role of international diplomacy and geopolitical constraints. In each of these wars, international powers, particularly the United Nations, intervened to broker ceasefires before Bharat could achieve its objective of reclaiming PoK.

In the 1947-48 war, for instance, after initial military successes, the Bharatiya government, under Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, referred the Kashmir issue to the United Nations. A ceasefire was called in 1949, leading to the establishment of the Line of Control (LoC), effectively dividing Kashmir into two parts — one administered by Bharat and the other by Pakistan.

2. Strategic Considerations: Although Bharat has repeatedly expressed its desire to regain PoK, the region is not only strategically challenging but also difficult to control militarily. The terrain is rugged, mountainous, and heavily fortified by Pakistan. In the Kargil War of 1999, Indian forces managed to push back Pakistani intruders from the Bharatiya side of the LoC, but the region of PoK remained intact under Pakistani control.
3. Political Will: Another critical factor has been the political will. While the Indian military has expressed a capability to reclaim PoK in various situations, Bharatiya governments have chosen diplomacy and negotiations over direct military intervention. The long-standing conflict is also fraught with the potential for nuclear escalation, as both Bharat and Pakistan possess nuclear weapons. A full-scale war over PoK could thus have catastrophic consequences for the entire region.

Why is PoK Shown as Part of Bharat?

From Bharat’s constitutional perspective, the entire region of Jammu and Kashmir, including PoK, is an integral part of Bharat. The accession document signed by Maharaja Hari Singh in 1947 granted full jurisdiction of Jammu and Kashmir to Bharat. As such, Bharatiya maps show PoK as part of the country, even though it remains under Pakistani control.

Bharat’s stance on the issue is rooted in its legal claim over the territory, based on the Instrument of Accession and subsequent constitutional provisions. Bharatiya governments have consistently maintained that PoK is illegally occupied by Pakistan, and this is reflected in Bharatiya official maps, political rhetoric, and international positions.

Which Country Rules PoK – Bharat or Pakistan?

In practical terms, PoK is governed by Pakistan, which administers the region as part of its national territory. The Pakistan-administered part of Jammu and Kashmir is divided into two regions: Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit-Baltistan.

Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) has a self-governing administration but remains heavily influenced by Pakistan’s military and political establishment. Gilgit-Baltistan, on the other hand, is directly administered by Pakistan and has seen significant infrastructural investments in recent years, particularly due to its strategic importance in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

However, Pakistan’s control of PoK remains internationally contested, and the region’s future remains subject to the broader Kashmir dispute.

Can Bharat Regain PoK?

Bharat’s claim over PoK remains strong, both legally and politically. Successive Bharatiya governments have reiterated that PoK is part of Bharat and must be returned. However, the question of whether Bharat can realistically regain PoK is fraught with complexities.

Military Options: While Bharat has a formidable military, any attempt to take PoK by force would be met with fierce resistance from Pakistan, and could escalate into a full-scale war. With both countries being nuclear powers, the risks of a military confrontation are extremely high. Moreover, PoK’s difficult terrain and Pakistan’s entrenched military presence make a swift military solution unlikely.

Diplomatic Efforts: Bharat has long sought to resolve the issue through diplomatic means, both bilaterally with Pakistan and through international forums. However, these efforts have often been stalled due to Pakistan’s refusal to budge on its control over PoK and the complex international interests surrounding Kashmir.

Internal Dynamics in PoK: There have been sporadic reports of dissatisfaction and unrest within PoK, particularly in Gilgit-Baltistan, where many locals oppose Pakistani rule. Bharat could leverage this unrest by supporting calls for greater autonomy or self-determination within PoK, thereby undermining Pakistan’s control. However, this strategy has its limitations, as Pakistan exerts a strong influence over local governance in the region.

When and Why Did Bharat “Give” PoK to Pakistan?

Bharat never formally “gave” PoK to Pakistan. The division of Kashmir occurred during the 1947-48 war when Pakistani tribal militias, backed by the Pakistani army, invaded the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir. Although Bharat responded militarily and managed to reclaim significant portions of the territory, a ceasefire brokered by the United Nations in 1949 left parts of the state under Pakistani control. This ceasefire line later became known as the Line of Control (LoC).

The United Nations, while advocating for a plebiscite to determine the future of Kashmir, recognized the de facto division of the region. Subsequent wars and diplomatic efforts have failed to change the status quo, leaving PoK under Pakistani control ever since.

Can Bharat Annex PoK?

Annexing PoK remains a political goal for many in Bharat, but it is easier said than done. The annexation would likely involve either military action or a significant political agreement with Pakistan, neither of which seems likely in the near future.

A military annexation of PoK would trigger immediate retaliation from Pakistan, potentially leading to another full-scale war. The risk of nuclear escalation cannot be ruled out in such a scenario. Moreover, the international community, especially powers like China and the United States, would likely intervene to prevent such a conflict from escalating.

On the other hand, a diplomatic annexation seems equally challenging given the deep-rooted mistrust and animosity between Bharat and Pakistan over the Kashmir issue. Any agreement that involves the annexation of PoK would require significant concessions from both sides, which seems politically unviable at present.

Conclusion

The PoK issue is a multifaceted problem that remains at the heart of Indo-Pak relations. Despite Bharat’s strong legal and historical claims, geopolitical realities have prevented the country from regaining PoK, even after multiple military victories over Pakistan. The presence of nuclear weapons, international diplomatic interventions, and the difficult terrain of PoK make a military solution improbable. Diplomatic negotiations, while preferable, have made little headway due to entrenched positions on both sides.

While Bharat’s claim to PoK is legitimate and grounded in historical facts, the realistic solution may lie in a long-term diplomatic process that involves confidence-building measures and international mediation. It is unlikely that either country will be able to force a unilateral solution in the near future. The situation requires patience, strategic thinking, and a recognition of the risks associated with escalation.

Ultimately, the people of Kashmir, on both sides of the LoC, must be the focus of any resolution. Their aspirations and rights must guide the future of the region, and a peaceful, diplomatic solution is the best path forward for Bharat, Pakistan, and the wider region.