The Kashmir conflict is a territorial dispute between India and Pakistan over the Kashmir region, the north westernmost region of South Asia. India claims the entire state of Jammu and Kashmir and as of 2010, administers approximately 43% of the region, including most of Jammu, the Kashmir Valley, Ladakh, and the Siachen Glacier. India’s claim is contested by Pakistan, which controls approximately 37% of Kashmir, namely Azad Kashmir and the northern areas of Gilgit and Baltistan. China controls 20% of Kashmir, including Aksai Chin, which it occupied following the brief Sino-Indian War of 1962, and the Trans-Karakoram Tract (also known as the Shaksam Valley), which was ceded by Pakistan in 1963. India has officially stated that it believes that Kashmir is an integral part of India, though the Prime Minister of India, Manmohan Singh, stated after the 2010 Kashmir Unrest that his government is willing to grant autonomy within the purview of Indian constitution to Kashmir if there is consensus on this issue. Pakistan says that Kashmir is a disputed territory whose final status must be determined by the people of Kashmir. China states that Aksai Chin is a part of China and does not recognize the addition of Aksai Chin to the Kashmir region. Certain Kashmiri independence groups believe that Kashmir should be independent of both India and Pakistan
Geography:
Bordered by Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, and China Contains about 85,000 square miles of land Mountainous, sparsely populated region Varied climate due to elevation Most populated area is the Vale of Kashmir, on the Indian side Currently, Kashmir is divided into three regions: a) First one controlled by India, b) Second one controlled by Pakistan c) Third one, a small area, controlled by China
Demographics:
According to a 2001 census, Kashmir has about 10 million residents 7.5 million In Indian-controlled territory 2.5 million In Pakistani-controlled territory