THE NEVER-ENDING KASHMIR DISPUTE AND ITS IMPLICATIONS ON THE CONTEMPORARY GLOBAL GOVERNANCE AND PEACE

Abstract

The Kashmir dispute is one of the oldest unresolved conflicts in the
annals of the United Nations. India has concealed its duplicity
behind “democracy” in this dispute. As a result of the romantic
fascination for his ancestral land, the first Indian Prime Minister,
Jawaharlal Nehru, wanted to retain Kashmir as a part of India which
turned out to be one of the deadliest international conflicts of the 20th
century. On the surface Nehru wanted to demonstrate India’s “secular” character by incorporating Muslim-majority Kashmir into
India. The Delhi administration has consistently manipulated this
dispute in India’s favor through political, diplomatic, emotional and
intellectual means and has successfully used the media and
think-tanks to solicit support for it. Pakistan, on the other hand,
although initially committed to the idea of self-determination for the
people of Kashmir, has been inconsistent and undiplomatic in
supporting the cause. Clandestine agencies have created groups
among Kashmiri people, and occasionally made them fight against
one another. The conflict in neighboring Afghanistan contributed
to the deteriorating situation in Kashmir. Overall, Kashmir has
become a source of constant intimidation within the Muslim society
today.