What Was Once “Gifted” to Pakistan?
Another terror attack has rocked the serene town of Pahalgam in Jammu & Kashmir — a place known for its beauty, not bloodshed. And as the nation mourns and anger simmers, one uncomfortable question is resurfacing: Has India been too generous in the past, especially when it came to territory and diplomacy with Pakistan?
What Happened in Pahalgam?
Details are still unfolding, but reports confirm that militants targeted security personnel in the Pahalgam area, resulting in casualties. As investigations begin, early signs suggest this may not be an isolated act — but part of a larger plan to disrupt peace and provoke unrest in the region.
A Painful Throwback to “Friendly Gestures”
The attack has reignited conversations about the decisions made decades ago — particularly the so-called “gifting” of strategic territories or diplomatic leverage during the early years post-Partition. Some historians and critics point to the 1963 transfer of parts of the Shaksgam Valley to China by Pakistan — territory that originally belonged to the princely state of Jammu & Kashmir.
That move, seen by many as illegal under international law, was never recognized by India — and remains a sore spot in the broader Kashmir conflict.
Can India Reclaim What Was Lost?
Realistically? It’s complicated. While India maintains its claim over the entire region of Jammu & Kashmir — including Pakistan-occupied areas like Gilgit-Baltistan — reclaiming land isn’t just a military issue. It’s geopolitical chess, with international alliances, nuclear deterrence, and diplomatic fallout all in the mix.
But after repeated betrayals and proxy wars, voices across India are growing louder, demanding a firmer stand — not just in defending borders, but in correcting past concessions that are now being exploited.
What Now?
Pahalgam’s pain is a reminder that the Kashmir issue isn’t just about maps or treaties — it’s about real people caught in the crossfire. While retaliatory measures may come in due time, this moment also calls for reflection on how India should approach long-term security and sovereignty, especially with neighbors who don’t always play by the same rules.
