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Decolonisation
Religious divisions complicated Independence
Jinnah did not want Muslims to become a permanent minority in a Hindu dominated India. He wanted an Islamic homeland to be called Pakistan.
Sikhs were reluctant to become a minority in a Hindu or a Muslim state.
The sudden declaration of Independence for a divided India and Pakistan achieved:
- British commercial contact with India and Pakistan
- India and Pakistan in the Commonwealth
- Friendly relations between India & Britain and Pakistan & Britain
- British nationals were free to stay, live and work in India India and Pakistan for however long they wanted
- Indians and Pakistanis were granted the right to come to Britain.
But at the cost of:
- Communal riots, massacres and the forced migration of millions on the sub-continent. Perhaps 3 million killed.