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Hello, David here with a new series of explainers from the briefing room.

In today's podcast, we look at the origins of the tension between India and Pakistan

following a terrorist attack in Indian-administered Kashmir in April,

which led to a short military conflict between India and Pakistan

before a ceasefire was agreed. For a brief history of Kashmir, Caroline Bailey spoke to

former BBC India correspondent Andrew Whitet, who's an expert on Kashmir and its history,

and author of A Mission in Kashmir. First of all, then, Andrew Whitetead, how far back do the tensions in Kashmir go? Well, Kashmir. First of all then, Andrew Whitehead, how far back do the tensions in

Kashmir? Well, Kashmiris have got a long memory and some Kashmiris would say you need to go

back to 1586 because they would say that was the last time that Kashmir was governed by Kashmiris.

Ever since then, it's been in their view a succession of outsiders.

But I think more approximately it was 1947 when the British left India and in leaving,

they partitioned the area that they controlled to carve out Pakistan, a mainly Muslim nation,

so they bequeathed independence to two nations.

Now the whole logic of Pakistan was that adjoining Muslim majority areas would go into the new nation.

Well, Kashmir, the realm governed by the Maharaja of Kashmir, was adjoining what became Pakistan,

and it was three-quarters Muslim. So there was a very strong case of Kashmir was adjoining what became Pakistan and it was three-quarters Muslim.

So there was a very strong case for Kashmir becoming part of Pakistan. But the small print

of the Indian Independence Act said that it was up to local princely rulers to decide whether

to opt for India or to accede to Pakistan. And so it was for the Maharaja to decide.

And basically he delayed a decision.

Pakistan got impatient and encouraged an invasion of armed tribesmen from Pakistan.

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