India vs Pakistan conflict over Kashmir

Background of the Kashmir conflict:

India vs Pakistan conflict over Kashmir on August 5, 2019, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led government of Narendra Modi announced significant changes to Article 370 of the Indian Constitution. Which granted the state of Jammu and Kashmir a “special status”. In addition, Kashmir is the lifeblood of Pakistan, and India’s decision to change its special status has created problems for peace and stability in the region. This seems to have further exacerbated.

What could be the reason behind it?

At the time of the partition, in 1947, Maharaja of the Princely State of Kashmir acceded to India for his evil gain. The public opposed this accession to the Indian Union and took up arms against the Indian armed forces. Consequently, India vs Pakistan conflict over Kashmir increased. As conflict raised war broke out between Pakistan and India on the Kashmir Front. UNSC intervention requested by the Indian government led to a ceasefire between the two sides. The ceasefire was later changed to the Line of Control (LOC). UNSC proposed a plebiscite to be held in Kashmir in order to find a solution according to the will of Kashmiri but India never let that plebiscite to take place.

In October 1947, Maharaja Singh signed the “Instrument of Accession”. As a direct outcome of this instrument article 370 was added to the Indian constitution. Article 370, of which 35A is a part, has been the premise of Kashmir’s complex relationship with India for almost 70 years India vs Pakistan conflict over Kashmir. Article 370, which grants Kashmir special status within India, gives Kashmir significant autonomy except for foreign affairs, defense, and communications. Article 35A of the Constitution allows the legislature of Indian-administered Kashmir to define the permanent residents of the state and their distinctive features.

India’s cruelty toward its critics is a sign of the decline of the world’s largest democracy:

When the BJP came to power in 2014, the India vs Pakistan conflict over Kashmir escalated over atrocities in Kashmir. Although the BJP is the political face of PRSS. In addition, the RSS, being a far-right Indian political and militant organization, preaches “Hindutva” and is rejected by its subjects who support the forced unification of Jammu and Kashmir.

Moreover, the BJP came to power for the second time, adopting a highly nationalistic and anti-Pakistani stance. Meanwhile, the BJP stated in its manifesto that Kashmir’s special status would be abolished. Additionally, this move by the Government of India is expected after the dissolution of the Kashmir Assembly in 2018. Finally, in the absence of a Constituent Assembly in 2019, the BJP used the governor of Kashmir to support the campaign and in doing so made the movement something under the banner of the Constitution.

Since August 2019 Human rights abuses in India’s illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir have again attracted global attention:

The revocation of the said articles has further alienated Kashmiri youth from the Indian state. Simultaneously this undemocratic move was followed by an indefinite curfew and a sharp increase in the number of military and paramilitary forces inside the valley. Likewise, Kashmiris were immediately deprived of their basic rights of expression, speech, and protest through the imposition of a curfew and internet shutdown. The India vs Pakistan conflict over Kashmir is getting longer day by day and its solution is becoming impossible.

6 serious consequences of this undemocratic action of India after taking away the identity of Kashmiris:

In regards to the undemocratic action of the Indian Prime Minister, there may be some serious consequences on the identity of Kashmiris due to which the India vs Pakistan conflict over Kashmir may be prolonged. As a result of this undemocratic action of India after taking away the identity of Kashmiris, India may face 6 serious consequences which are listed below.

1. Although Predominantly, there is the fear of a new bloody freedom struggle that could create unimaginable instability;
2. Furthermore, secondly, India could start an all-out war with Pakistan by involving Pakistan in Kashmiri freedom struggle-related actions;
3. Third, the basic strategy of curbing rebellion, i.e. genocide, followed by the Indian armed forces fitted with all sorts of lethal weapons;
4. Fourth, enforce structural reform in Jammu and Kashmir in an attempt to transform the Muslim majority into a minority;
5. Fifth, India can pave the way for seeds of Hindutva doctrine by creating militant Hindu centers in Jammu and Kashmir;
6. Finally, by refusing Kashmiri youth schooling and equal opportunities, they are reduced to the rank of third-grade residents and even below.  

Role of Pakistan in Kashmir issue:

Pakistan has always played an important role in the Kashmir issue. While the Parliament of Pakistan rejected the Indian law to repeal Article 370 and 35A on August 6, 2019. And in this context, Pakistan removed the High Commissioner of India from office. Apart from this, Pakistan had threatened India to suspend bilateral trade including the Dosti Bus and Samjhauta Express train services. To raise awareness, Pakistan observed August 14 as Solidarity Day with Kashmir and India’s Independence Day, August 15, as Black Day.

At the strategic level, Pakistan’s foreign ministry organized meetings with a mission to remind India to respect UN Security Council resolutions in Kashmir. Additionally, Pakistan approached various platforms such as the OIC and UNSC, and the Human Rights Council to investigate Indian atrocities in Kashmir. Furthermore, this proved to become fruitful as the OIC looked into human rights violations and pushed to address the issue respectively. Despite all this, India vs Pakistan conflict over Kashmir on Kashmir is permanent and the issue of Kashmir has become an example among the people, whatever is not done, people say that this is the issue of Kashmir.

Pakistan’s Kashmir Policy Objectives and Approach:

Although there is still much to be achieved on Pakistan’s part, Pakistan must be rational and logical when deciding on next steps. Moreover, Pakistan should continue its role in the Kashmir issue and not allow any such obstacle to break or weaken its momentum. The world came to Pakistan for trade and to develop the national economy.

India has effectively captured its market and boosted its emerging economy by encouraging unilateral action on the Kashmir issue. Pakistan’s moral and diplomatic support for the Kashmir issue should not be interpreted as ‘support for terrorism’.

Although Pakistan can do this by accelerating the migration of Pakistanis to the West, organizing seminars and debates in leading think tanks, convening bilateral and multilateral meetings of parliamentarians and issuing newsletters in international forums.

But a tripartite committee consisting of representatives from both Azad Kashmir and Jammu and Kashmir, China and Pakistan should be set up to present joint statements on the developments within Kashmir. Get votes for it in the international community through a broad diplomatic approach.

Additionally, use the media campaign to project their own narrative. Pattern Hybrid warfare is the essence of today’s conflict patterns. Indian officials have already acknowledged Pakistan’s success in hybrid warfare, which must be sustained without complacency.

Keep the nation informed through frequent press briefings by political, diplomatic and military spokespersons. Nuclear power is going to have an effect, although it is a last resort. Achieving religious and political reconciliation is essential for the response of the entire nation.

Present yourself in the Afghan peace process by bringing the parties back to the negotiating table. Maybe by doing all this, there will be a permanent solution to the dispute between India and Pakistan on Kashmir and Kashmir will be established forever on this land like an independent state.