The Kashmir Issue and its Influence on the Foreign Policy of Pakistan

Abstract

The Kashmir dispute, originating from the 1947 Partition of British India, remains a "frozen conflict" that serves as the central pillar of Pakistan’s foreign policy. Termed Pakistan’s “jugular vein,” the issue is deeply rooted in the Two-Nation Theory, which posits that Muslim-majority regions should belong to a sovereign Muslim state. Beyond ideological motivations, Kashmir provides Pakistan with critical strategic advantages, including water security via the Indus River and a northern gateway to Central Asia. Pakistan’s policy has evolved through distinct phases: early UN-based diplomacy and military confrontation (1947–1965), a shift toward bilateralism after the 1972 Simla Agreement, and a subsequent era of proxy warfare and intense diplomatic campaigns beginning in the 1990s. Following India’s 2019 revocation of Article 370, Pakistan has pivoted toward internationalizing the issue by highlighting human rights concerns in multilateral forums like the United Nations and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. However, the conflict is increasingly characterized by a "stability/instability paradox," where nuclear deterrence prevents full-scale war but encourages limited skirmishes and proxy conflicts. This ongoing stalemate, exacerbated by India’s insistence on a bilateral resolution and Pakistan’s reliance on its strategic partnership with China, continues to hinder regional economic integration and South Asian security. Consequently, the Kashmir issue remains the intractable axis around which Pakistan’s international relations and national identity revolve.