Kashmir Dispute: Trends in Indo-Pak Relations and Response of International Community

Abstract

It is an undisputed reality that Kashmir dispute has remained an important political issue between India and Pakistan, rather we can say that it is a bone of contention between both the nuclear powers of South Asia (India and Pakistan), and is often dubbed as the nuclear flashpoint. It is to be believed that this dispute can bring both nuclear powers on the brink of hot war. The very first war fought over Kashmir problem in 1948, set a trend for future wars, mistrust and hostilities. From thereafter, both the states enter into skirmish in 1965 and 1971. International community expressed their reservations over Kargil episode of 1999, where two states deployed their forces at border areas and positioned their naval forces against each other. Nevertheless, after Kargil episode the fears of Kashmir issue leading to nuclear conflagration has become more loud and audible. It is also unfortunate that none of the forum has been able to bring India on negotiation table. Apart from the fact, that the presence of nuclear weapons provides befitting deterrence and ensuring strategic stability, the possibility of faceoff between India and Pakistan are more stern and horrifying. This paper argues that different resolutions passed by international community justify the centrality of Kashmir issue for the normalization of Indo-Pak relations.