Key Terms

 Hey delegates! With just one month away from BMUN 70, we thought it would be helpful to ensure you all feel comfortable with the topic synopsis and the terminology used within it. We’ve defined and explained a handful of terms that are integral for your understanding of the Agra Summit. If you have any questions or any other terms you’re confused about, feel free to reach out to our dais at agrabmunlxx@bmun.org!

HISTORICAL KEY TERMS  

Partition

• The Partition refers to the period of the division of British India into India and Pakistan on August 14th and 15th, 1947, what is known today as Pakistan’s as well as India’s Independence Days. As a result of this division, there was an unexpected mass migration of almost fifteen million people as well as the deaths of over two million individuals. Because of fear of persecution, many Muslims fled to the newly divided Pakistan while Hindus and Sikhs fled to India. 

Line of Control (LoC)

• The Line of Control is the de facto border that marks the separation of military control of Indian and Pakistani troops in the highly contested state of Jammu and Kashmir. This line is controversial and highly affected by the progress of Indo-Pakistan relations, thus, it is not legally recognized as an international boundary between the two states. This line was established during the Shimla Agreement of 1972, however, the line has changed over time with India losing more and more of its territory in this region to Pakistan. 

Jammu and Kashmir

• Jammu and Kashmir is the highly contested region located north of India and south of Pakistan. India refers to this region as a union territory as it is not an official state but parts of the region are controlled by India while the rest is under Pakistani control. This region is highly sought after from the Pakistani side because of its majority Islamic population and from the Indian side due to its proximity to the Himalayas and East Asia. Jammu and Kashmir is the location for many Indo-Pakistan conflicts including the First and Second Kashmir Wars. 

Tashkent Declaration 

• The Tashkent Declaration is a peace agreement that was created during a meeting between Indian and Pakistani leaders with the Soviet Union serving as a mediator. This Declaration ultimately ended the Second Kashmir War in 1966. While it was initially regarded as a success in urging each party to de-escalate conflict and contain their powers, the Declaration became highly contested after India and Pakistan realized they were not content with its outcome. This tension was heightened after the mysterious death of the Indian Prime Minister, Lal Bahadur Shastri, in the Tashkent region. 

Operation Smiling Buddha 

• Operation Smiling Buddha marks the beginning of Indian Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi’s nuclear tests to establish India’s nuclear capabilities to the global community as well as instill fear in Pakistani powers. Domestically, India received much praise for this “peaceful nuclear test” including Indira Gandhi’s revival of popularity. However, on an international scale, India received much condemnation from other states, including sanctions from the U.S. and retaliation acts of nuclear tests from Pakistan. 

Kargil War 

• The Kargil War of 1999 is the most recent conflict prior to where our committee begins with the Agra Summit. The war was an armed Indo-Pakistani conflict fought within the Jammu and Kashmir region that began with Pakistani troops invading the Indian side of the LoC. With India emerging victorious from the conflict, Pakistan received much criticism from the international community and was forced to begin negotiations regarding its control in the region, eventually leading to the events of the Agra Summit. 

IMPORTANT ACRONYMS 

• National Democratic Alliance (NDA) 

• The National Democratic Alliance is a broad coalition of multiple political parties in India, with the forerunner party being the Bharatiya Janata Party. Characterized as a center-right coalition, this organization was a significant political force leading up to the Agra Summit, and its broad influence rendered it a significant focal point for conservative sentiment in India throughout the time period.

• Prisoner of War (POW)

• The Geneva Conventions classify a prisoner of war as anyone captured by enemy forces who is associated with a group that engages in warfare. The maintenance of POW treatment and documentation in the Kashmir region is, understandably, one of significant complexity. Firstly, the presence of racial and cultural tension between the belligerents increases the likelihood of human rights abuse between opposing sides. And secondly, the actual armed conflict throughout significant portions of the Kashmir region occur largely in relatively undeveloped, remote, and mountainous regions, a lack of infrastructure that inherently creates problems for maintaining essential resources required to maintain proper treatment for POWs, like access to basic living necessities and being able to record POWs’ information and identity.

• Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)

• The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is the mainstream conservative-leaning (and at times far-right) party in Indian Parliament. They were the leading institution of conservatism throughout the Kashmir conflict and the present day, and were in power during the Agra summit.

• Lok Janshakti Party (LJP)

• Formed from a split in the Janata Dal United Party, the LJP is a liberal party prioritizing benefits for India’s lower classes. During the Agra Summit they were the opposition to the BJP government.

• Janata Parliamentary Party 

• The Janata Parliamentary Party was formed in the mid-70s in response to government corruption. It is a further left-leaning party, with much socialist influence.