August 14/15, 1947
As India and Pakistan gain independence as two dominions, Partition with its gory bloodbath, leaves a tragic scar and a history of mistrust.
1948
The Maharaja of Kashmir dithers over accession, Pakistan invades the Valley. India launches a rescue operation from the Srinagar airport. The state accedes to India but Nehru promises to hold a plebiscite.
1965
The second war between the two countries is fought on many fronts but in the end resolves nothing.
1971
The two-nation theory takes a beating as Bangladesh is liberated. Pakistani forces surrender to the Indians in Dhaka.
1972
Indira Gandhi and Z.A.Bhutto thrash out the Shimla Agreement, but defer formalising the line of control as the international border.
1974
India receives the coded message, "the Buddha has smiled", as India successfully conducts its first nuclear test at Pokhran albiet for "peaceful purposes".
1988
A thaw is announced after the Benazir Bhutto-Rajiv Gandhi summit.
1989
Militancy in Kashmir erupts after the Rubaiya Sayeed kidnapping, sapping the states resources and the energies of diplomats for years to come.
1996
Both countries refuse to sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.
1997
The Gujral Doctrine provides a glimmer of hope, but alas
1998
Pakistan test fires the Ghauri; soon after India conducts five N-tests at Pokhran, one of them a thermonuclear device.
