The Pakistan–India Border, known locally as the International Border, is an international border running between Pakistan and India. The border runs from the Line of Control, which separates Indian-administered Kashmir from Pakistan-administered Kashmir, in the north, to the Sir Creek in Rann of Kutch between the Indian state of Gujarat and the Sindh province of Pakistan, in the south. Drafted and created based upon the Radcliffe line in 1947, the border, which divides Pakistan and India from each other, traverses a variety of terrains ranging from major urban areas to inhospitable deserts. Since the independence of India and Pakistan, the border has been a site of numerous conflicts and wars between each country, and is one of the most contested borders in the world. The border's total length is, according to the figures given by the PBS; it is also one of the most dangerous borders in the world, based on an article written in the Foreign Policy in 2011. It can be seen from space at night due to the 150,000 flood lights installed by India on about 50,000 poles.
Working Boundary, Line of Control, and International Boundary
The border between the two Nations is an internationally recognised frontier from Gujarat/Sindh only with exemption to the Line of Control that is not internationally accepted. The disputed region of Kashmir got divided through the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947 into the regions of Pakistan-administered Kashmir and Indian-administered Kashmir. The UN-mediated ceasefire line of 1949 served as the de facto border between the two regions, which was revised to a Line of Control after the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. The border between Indian-administered Kashmir and the Pakistani province of Punjab is officially called the "Working Boundary" by Pakistan. India regards it as the international border.
Working boundary: The line between Punjab Province of Pakistan along Sialkot and Indian controlled Kashmir. It is called a working boundary because on one side is an internationally recognised land while on the other is a disputed territory.
Line of Control : Line of control is the boundary between the Pakistan-administered Kashmir and Indian-administered Kashmir. It was demarcated after the Simla pact in 1972.
ICP Border crossings with designated Integrated Check Posts with immigration and customs facilities are:
*Attari and Wagah, is the most famous and prominent border crossing point between India and Pakistan due to Wagah-Attari border ceremony. The crossing is located 32 kilometres from Amritsar and 24 kilometers from Lahore.
The flag lowering ceremony at the village of Wagah is held each evening immediately before sunset by the border agents of Pakistan and India. It is a tradition dating back to 1959. The ceremony begins with battle calls from both sides in the form of loud screaming done by the border guards. This is followed by a series of organized high kicks, stomps, and dance moves during which the opposing forces stare each other down. The event ends with a handshake of good faith being exchanged by the head guards along with the lowering of the flags. The crowd cheers and claps enthusiastically through it all. The ritual is known to attract international tourists and even celebrities. It is symbolic of the brotherhood as well as the rivalry that these two nations share. The border troops are known to exchange sweets with the opposing side during the Muslim holidays of Eid and Hindu holiday of Diwali, but in 2016 and 2018 the BSF have avoided doing so due to rising military tensions. It has been a peaceful gathering with the exception of the 2014 Wagah border suicide attack in which 60 people were killed and over 110 people were left injured. It has also been cancelled on occasion such as when Pakistan returned Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman back to India after his plane was shot down by the Pakistan Air Force during the 2019 India-Pakistan standoff. Similar border ceremonies held by the India and Pakistan occur at Fazilka border / Sulaimanki, Punjab and Hussainiwala border, Punjab / Ganda Singh Wala border, Kasur District. These rituals are attended primarily by the local villagers and garner very few spectator tourists.
International Relations
China: Pakistan has a long running relationship with China, with collaboration in trade, military, and technology; Each considering the other a close strategic ally. China is Pakistan's largest supplier of weapons and one of its largest trading partners. There are strong military ties between China and Pakistan beyond the supply of weapons. This alliance between two neighboring Asian nations is significant geopolitically, as the strong military ties counter regional Indian and American influence. Sino-Indian border dispute is co-existing along Line of Actual Control as well as on economic front. China has continued to support Pakistan on its internationalization of Kashmir conflict for resolution as per specific UNSC resolutions.
