I guess it was wisest decision of Jawaharlal Nehru in 1948 when he went to UNO. If you read the resolution, you may have to agree that Nehru was able to convince rest part of the world regarding their policy over Kashmir.

The final resolution adopted had two parts. The first part increased the Commission's strength to five members and asked it to proceed to the Indian subcontinent at once to mediate between India and Pakistan. The second part dealt with the Security council's recommendations for restoring peace and conducting a plebiscite. This involved three steps.

• In the first step, Pakistan was asked to use its "best endeavours" to secure the withdrawal of all tribesmen and Pakistani nationals, putting an end to the fighting in the state.
• In the second step, India was asked to "progressively reduce" its forces to the minimum level required for keeping law and order. It laid down principles that India should follow in administering law and order in consultation with the Commission, using local personnel as far as possible.
• In the third step, India was asked to ensure that all the major political parties were invited to participate in the state government at the ministerial level, essentially forming a coalition cabinet. India should then appoint a Plebiscite Administrator nominated by the United Nations, who would have a range of powers including powers to deal with the two countries and ensure a free and impartial plebiscite. Measures were to be taken to ensure the return of refugees, the release of all political prisoners, and for political freedom.
• The resolution also called for measures be taken for return of refugees, for the release of political prisoners and for political freedom.
• The resolution was approved by nine votes against none. The Soviet Union and Ukraine abstained.

In my fair analysis.

• It was not in long term interest of India to attack on Pakistan in 1947-1948 for Kashmir. This situation might have hampered India’s principal stand regarding Kashmir.
• Nehru wanted a status-quo situation in Kashmir so India would be in better position to take measures meanwhile.
• After Pakistan’s invasion at Kashmir, Raja Hari Singh of Kashmir announced merger of his state with India. Pakistan was asked to remove its forces from Kashmir which I guess is the victory of India’s point of view in UNO.

The status-quo situation of Kashmir disturbed the Pakistani camp. Pakistan after some years tried to get back Kashmir but all such attempts were unsuccessful as India was well prepared and examined the geographical situation very well during those years. India successfully captured the Siachin peaks in 1984 and has an edge over Pakistan on strategical point of view since then. Kargil war in 1999 has ditched Pakistan’s hope of getting entire Kashmir region. If you read the UN resolution, its I pretty much in India’s favor instead of Pakistan. I guess the problems later generated in Kashmir were due to administrative loopholes.

Over the years I have realized Nehru is being criticized for all shortcomings of India during last 71 years which doesn't make any sense to me. Nehru’s role during Cabinet Mission Plan is debatable which I will cover any other day however no one can argue that he did his best job as Prime Minster of India.

Thanks for reading.

~MAK

References: United Nations Security Council Resolution 47 - Wikipedia