The Kashmir issue, a long-standing point of discord between India and Pakistan, has grown more complex following India’s revocation of Article 370 in August 2019. This move stripped Jammu and Kashmir of its semi-autonomous status and led to widespread curfews, communications blackouts, and troop deployments. Pakistan condemned the action as a breach of international law and a denial of Kashmiri rights. Yet, global reaction has been restrained, offering little beyond statements of concern, leaving Kashmiris under prolonged uncertainty and repression.
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India’s abrogation of Article 370 marked a decisive shift in its constitutional and political approach toward Jammu and Kashmir. Article 370 previously allowed the region to maintain its own constitution, flag, and autonomy in legislative affairs, as recorded in India’s Constitution and affirmed by India's Constituent Assembly debates. While India argued this would ensure better integration and development, Pakistan saw the move as a challenge to the UN resolutions that promise Kashmiris the right to self-determination.
Pakistan responded swiftly and firmly through diplomatic channels. On August 7, 2019, Pakistan expelled the Indian High Commissioner, suspended bilateral trade, and downgraded diplomatic relations. Pakistani officials emphasized that their response would be peaceful and focused on diplomatic and legal means. They called on the international community to condemn human rights abuses in Kashmir, though much of the world limited itself to general appeals for restraint without addressing the legality of India’s action.
Since 2019, Pakistan has raised the Kashmir issue at the United Nations and other global platforms. At the 74th UN General Assembly in September 2019, Prime Minister Imran Khan delivered a 50-minute speech detailing human rights abuses and urging international intervention. While countries like China, Turkey, and Malaysia expressed support for Pakistan’s position, major global powers avoided direct involvement, citing diplomatic neutrality and national interest concerns.
One of the most disturbing outcomes of the Article 370 revocation has been the escalation of human rights violations in Kashmir. According to Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, authorities have engaged in arbitrary arrests, suppression of dissent, and severe restrictions on movement and communication. Political leaders were detained without charges, and press freedoms were curbed, creating an environment of fear and isolation for Kashmiris.
Lockdowns and security crackdowns have caused immense hardship for the population. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights reported in 2021 that prolonged lockdowns denied access to healthcare, food, education, and emergency services. These restrictions not only disrupted everyday life but also damaged key economic sectors like tourism, agriculture, and small businesses—pushing the region deeper into socio-economic distress.
India’s policy shift has also included changes to domicile laws, which many critics argue is an effort to alter the demographic balance of the region. In 2020, India passed new domicile rules allowing non-Kashmiris to apply for residency and government jobs, prompting fears of demographic engineering. Pakistan and Kashmiri civil society argue this aims to dilute the Muslim-majority identity of the region and permanently reshape its political dynamics.
Pakistan has reiterated its call for peaceful resolution through dialogue and diplomacy. In 2023, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari reaffirmed Islamabad’s willingness to resume talks if India reverses its unilateral actions in Kashmir. Despite this, India has maintained that Kashmir is an internal matter and rejected third-party mediation, blocking meaningful bilateral or multilateral negotiations on the issue.
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Despite Pakistan’s diplomatic campaigns, global actors have largely remained passive. Reports by UN Special Rapporteurs and rights organizations such as Amnesty International continue to highlight abuses, yet few countries have imposed any pressure or sanctions on India. This lack of accountability has left Kashmiris feeling abandoned and further eroded Pakistan’s hopes of mobilizing international consensus on the dispute.
In conclusion, the Kashmir conflict remains deeply entrenched and unresolved, with no clear path to peace in sight. The revocation of Article 370 has worsened the region’s humanitarian and political crisis, and Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts have not yet resulted in significant international action. Without a concerted global response and genuine dialogue between India and Pakistan, the Kashmiris continue to suffer under conditions that violate their basic rights and obstruct their political future.
