The Kashmir dispute is an issue that has consumed the attention of South Asia for over seven decades. It traces its origins to the partition of British India in 1947, when the region of Jammu and Kashmir was left in a precarious position. While Pakistan viewed Kashmir as an integral part of its territory, India, following the accession of Kashmir to India by its Maharaja Hari Singh, took control of the region. The first war over Kashmir between India and Pakistan broke out soon after, and since then, the dispute has remained unresolved, continuing to influence the geopolitics of the region. The situation has further escalated over the years, particularly with the revocation of Article 370 by India in 2019, which revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir. This move has complicated the path to a resolution and solidified Pakistan's stance that Kashmir must be resolved in line with the wishes of its people and in accordance with international law.
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Kashmir holds immense importance for Pakistan, not only from a strategic and ideological standpoint but also from a geopolitical and economic one. The region serves as a vital buffer between Pakistan, India, and China, and its position makes it crucial for regional stability and defense. Control over Kashmir, particularly the areas that lie along Pakistan’s northern frontiers, is crucial for the country’s security. Kashmir is also essential for Pakistan’s economy, as it provides vital water resources for agriculture and industry. Pakistan’s reliance on the water from the rivers that flow from Kashmir has made the region even more vital for its survival. The Kashmir issue, therefore, is not just about territorial control, but also about the country’s very existence and its future development.
The Kashmir dispute has been a core issue in Pakistan’s foreign policy since the 1947 partition. In the early years following the partition, Pakistan made attempts to resolve the issue through military engagement, particularly after the controversial accession of Jammu and Kashmir to India. The first Indo-Pakistani war (1947-48) over Kashmir led to the establishment of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and the control of parts of Kashmir by Pakistan. However, despite the territorial gains, the dispute remained unresolved, and the United Nations intervened to broker a ceasefire. The subsequent years saw continued tensions, culminating in further military engagements, such as the 1965 war and the Kargil conflict in 1999. Each of these conflicts brought Pakistan and India to the brink of war but failed to secure a permanent resolution.
Diplomatic efforts have also played a key role in Pakistan’s approach to Kashmir. From the very beginning, Pakistan sought international support for its position on Kashmir, lobbying at the United Nations, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and other global forums. However, India’s refusal to allow a plebiscite and its dismissal of UN resolutions has meant that Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts have had limited success. Despite several attempts at internationalizing the issue, Pakistan has struggled to garner sufficient global support to put pressure on India. The Simla Agreement of 1972 was a critical moment in the diplomatic history of the Kashmir dispute. The agreement, signed after the 1971 war, marked an attempt to resolve the issue bilaterally, but it ultimately failed to address the core issue of Kashmir’s status. India’s stance on Kashmir, particularly its refusal to allow international mediation, has continued to undermine Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts.
Moreover, Pakistan’s support for insurgents and militants in Kashmir during the 1980s and 1990s was another significant aspect of its policy. Faced with India’s military occupation of Kashmir, Pakistan provided material and logistical support to Kashmiri resistance groups. This proxy warfare allowed Pakistan to maintain pressure on India while avoiding direct military confrontation. However, this approach backfired in the 2000s when India successfully framed these insurgents as terrorists, leading to widespread international condemnation of Pakistan. The global war on terror, following the 9/11 attacks, further isolated Pakistan diplomatically as its links to militant groups came under scrutiny. The support for insurgency in Kashmir, while raising awareness of the region’s plight, also damaged Pakistan’s international standing and fueled anti-Pakistan sentiments in the West.
In the years since, Pakistan has relied on diplomacy, international lobbying, and economic pressure to resolve the Kashmir issue. The Lahore Declaration of 1999, signed between Pakistan and India, was another attempt to normalize relations and resolve the Kashmir dispute peacefully. However, this too was undermined by the Kargil conflict, which showed how fragile any peace agreement could be. More recently, Pakistan’s efforts to internationalize the Kashmir issue have been met with limited success. The revocation of Article 370 by India in 2019 further complicated Pakistan’s position. India’s actions have been widely criticized by Pakistan and have been a central issue in its diplomatic push at the United Nations and other international platforms. Pakistan has sought to build international support by highlighting the humanitarian crisis in Kashmir, particularly in the aftermath of the revocation of Article 370. However, despite the strong condemnation from Pakistan, the international community has largely remained silent, with many countries, including major powers like the United States, refraining from taking a firm stance.
Pakistan’s strategy of isolating India diplomatically has not borne fruit. India's growing influence on the global stage, particularly its strong ties with the United States, has made it increasingly difficult for Pakistan to garner international support for its cause. The geopolitical dynamics of the region, with China also playing a significant role, further complicate Pakistan’s efforts. Pakistan’s reliance on diplomatic channels, while important, must be complemented by more practical strategies to address the Kashmir issue. Given the current global situation, Pakistan must consider new ways to gain leverage over India and push for a peaceful resolution. However, it is unlikely that this can happen without a shift in the balance of power, both regionally and globally.
Furthermore, Pakistan must recognize the importance of shifting from a reactive to a proactive policy regarding Kashmir. The current diplomatic approach, which is largely focused on protesting India’s actions, is insufficient to bring about change. Pakistan needs to build stronger regional alliances and engage with countries that share its concerns about Kashmir and the broader South Asian security environment. Additionally, Pakistan should continue to push for greater attention to the human rights situation in Kashmir, as this remains one of the most critical aspects of the dispute. By reframing the issue in terms of human rights and self-determination, Pakistan may be able to generate more international support and apply greater pressure on India to engage in dialogue.
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Another key aspect of Pakistan’s policy going forward will be its ability to engage with India in a meaningful way. The Simla Agreement and the Lahore Declaration both failed to bring about a lasting resolution to the Kashmir dispute, primarily due to the lack of trust between the two countries. In the past, Pakistan has relied on military pressure, diplomacy, and proxy warfare to address the issue, but these approaches have been largely ineffective. To break the deadlock, both Pakistan and India need to take bold steps to rebuild trust and create a framework for meaningful negotiations. This will require compromise on both sides, and Pakistan must be willing to consider new ideas and approaches to the Kashmir dispute.
In conclusion, the Kashmir dispute remains one of the most pressing issues in South Asia, with no clear path to resolution. Pakistan’s policy on Kashmir has been marked by a combination of military, diplomatic, and proxy strategies, but these have failed to produce a lasting solution. The geopolitical landscape has shifted, and Pakistan’s position is now more challenging than ever, with India increasingly isolated from international pressure. Pakistan must shift from a reactive to a proactive strategy, focusing on building regional alliances, advocating for human rights, and engaging in meaningful negotiations with India. Only through such efforts can Pakistan hope to achieve a peaceful resolution to the Kashmir dispute and secure a stable future for the region.
