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Omar Wani

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Will India and Pakistan ever be friends?

If, yes...how. If no, why not?

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  • Alex Brooks

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    Jan 7 2013: I fear that a positive relationship between pakistan and India is impossible, because of the nature of Pakistan's existence, which is a separate Islamic state for Indian Muslims. Since its independence, Pakistan's foreign policy has revolved around its conflict with India. For example, in the 1950's, the United States began to develop a relationship with Pakistan in order to bolster its prominence in South Asia during the Cold War. Pakistan expected the US to support them against India. When the US provided support for India after the Sino-Indian War, Pakistan began to develop a closer relationship with China, and took advantage of India's weak control of Kashmir by sending mujahadeen rebels in 1965. Furthermore, their relations worsened with the independence of Bangladesh, where India provided support for the Bangladesh Movement in what was then East Pakistan against the Pakistani military. Then there's also the nuclear situation in both countries, which I think has further damaged the already pretty bad relations between the 2 countries.

    Not only do the various governments in Pakistan's existence have a discontent with India, but the Pakistani people do as well. Their discontent with India has passed the test of time, and even gotten worse since Pakistan's independence. I partially blame the US for this, because of its irresponsible foreign policy in South Asia, which is another example of when a mutual positive relationship only aggravated the 2 countries. The US provided support for India's economy and military, which only angered the Pakistani government and people, worsening relations with the US and India as well. Those are just a few examples of why I think it wouldn't work. So my answer to your question is no, I don't think Pakistan and India could ever have a positive relationship.

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