The India-Pakistan conflict over Kashmir is a long-standing territorial dispute that began in 1947 when both countries gained independence. The region of Jammu and Kashmir, predominantly Muslim, became a point of contention after its princely ruler chose to accede to India. Both nations claim the region in full but control only parts of it, leading to several wars and ongoing tensions. The conflict has resulted in significant human suffering, political instability, and military standoffs, with no resolution in sight.
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The Kashmir conflict is one of the longest-running territorial disputes in the world, primarily between India and Pakistan, both of which claim the region in full but control only parts of it. The conflict over Kashmir has deep historical, political, and religious roots, and it continues to be a flashpoint for tension and violence in South Asia.
The origins of the Kashmir conflict date back to 1947, when British India was partitioned into two independent nations: India and Pakistan. The partition was based on religious lines, with Pakistan created as a homeland for Muslims and India for Hindus. However, the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir, which was a Muslim-majority region, was left with the choice of acceding to either India or Pakistan.
At the time of partition, Kashmir’s ruler, Maharaja Hari Singh, initially sought to remain independent. However, facing an invasion from tribal militias backed by Pakistan, the Maharaja sought India’s help. In return, India demanded that Kashmir accede to India, which the Maharaja agreed to on October 26, 1947. This triggered Pakistan’s objection, leading to the first war between India and Pakistan in 1947-1948.
The Kashmir issue led to three major wars between India and Pakistan: in 1947-48, 1965, and 1971, with several skirmishes and military standoffs in between. The first war in 1947-48 ended in a ceasefire brokered by the United Nations, resulting in the establishment of the Line of Control (LoC), dividing the region into Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan-administered Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. Despite the ceasefire, both countries continued to claim the region in its entirety.
The 1965 war was fought over Kashmir as well but ended in a stalemate with a return to the pre-war positions after diplomatic intervention. The 1971 war, which led to the creation of Bangladesh, had indirect consequences for Kashmir, as both nations remained deeply divided, with Kashmir still being a core issue.
Religion has played a significant role in the Kashmir dispute. India, a secular nation with a Hindu majority, controls the region of Jammu and Kashmir, which is Muslim-majority. Pakistan, on the other hand, claims the region based on its Muslim identity. This religious dimension adds an emotional layer to the conflict, with both sides viewing the dispute not only as a territorial issue but also as a matter of religious and cultural identity.
The situation in Kashmir has remained volatile in recent decades, with sporadic violence, insurgencies, and military tensions. In August 2019, the Indian government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, revoked Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, which granted Jammu and Kashmir special autonomous status. This move was met with widespread protests in Kashmir and criticism from Pakistan, which saw it as a violation of international agreements.
India’s decision to revoke the special status has led to increased military presence in the region and restrictions on local movements and communications. Human rights violations, such as the alleged use of excessive force by Indian security forces against Kashmiri civilians, have sparked international concern.
Pakistan, on the other hand, continues to advocate for the rights of the Kashmiri people and has raised the issue on international platforms, including the United Nations. Pakistan also accuses India of trying to alter the region’s demographic composition by encouraging non-Muslim settlements, which India denies.
The Kashmir conflict has drawn attention from the international community, particularly the United Nations, which has passed several resolutions calling for a plebiscite to allow the people of Kashmir to determine their future. However, these resolutions have never been implemented due to differing interpretations and political realities.
The United States, China, and other global powers have occasionally intervened in diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions, but the issue remains unresolved. China, in particular, has a stake in the dispute due to its territorial claims over the Aksai Chin region, which India also claims as part of Kashmir.
The conflict has taken a heavy toll on the people of Kashmir, with thousands of lives lost due to violence, military operations, and insurgencies. The region has been the site of widespread human rights violations, including reports of arbitrary arrests, disappearances, and violence against civilians. The ongoing instability has made Kashmir one of the most militarized zones in the world.
The people of Kashmir are caught in the crossfire of a geopolitical struggle, with no clear resolution in sight. Many in the region feel marginalized and excluded, leading to growing demands for self-determination and autonomy. However, these demands are met with resistance from both India and Pakistan, who are unwilling to relinquish control over the region.
Furthermore the India-Pakistan conflict over Kashmir remains one of the most complex and intractable disputes in the world. The region’s strategic importance, religious significance, and historical context make it a deeply emotional issue for both countries. Despite several wars, diplomatic efforts, and international interventions, a lasting resolution remains elusive.
The future of Kashmir lies in the hands of both nations and the international community. For peace to be achieved, dialogue, trust-building, and a focus on the rights and aspirations of the Kashmiri people are essential. However, the deep-rooted political and territorial stakes make a peaceful resolution challenging, and the conflict is likely to continue as a flashpoint for regional instability.
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.
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.