Kashmir Conflict 2025: History, Article 370, India-Pakistan Tensions and Global Response

India's most beautiful state Jammu and Kashmir is always in the news. This region is the oldest and most sensitive dispute between India and Pakistan. Pakistan has unauthorized occupation of about one-third of Jammu and Kashmir. Which has been going on since the time of India-Pakistan partition in 1947. This is not only the cause of geopolitical tension between the two countries, but also remains a source of terrorism and regional instability. The situation has changed even more since the Indian government passed a resolution in Parliament in 2019 and removed Article 370. What is the Jammu and Kashmir dispute between these two countries today, let us know in detail what the meaning is for both the countries of the region - 

Historical background of Kashmir dispute

After the independence of India in 1947, Jammu Kashmir was a princely state which neither merged itself with Pakistan nor did it want to remain independent in India, but after the Pakistani tribes attacked Jammu Kashmir, Maharaja Hari Singh of this place decided to merge with India. After the merger, Indian army reached there to help Jammu Kashmir and started driving away the Pakistani tribes. Pakistan army was also there to help them. Indian army kept on making progress and started snatching the occupied areas from Pakistan. At the same time, India took this matter to the United Nations. According to the United Nations, a ceasefire was done between the two countries but no solution was found. Even today this dispute remains the same.

India-Pakistan War

 Four wars have been fought between India and Pakistan over the Kashmir issue. 

The first war took place in 1947-48. After some time in this war, ceasefire was declared after India went to the United Nations. After the ceasefire was declared, the part of Jammu and Kashmir which was under Pakistan's control even before its merger with India is still with Pakistan. Which we call POK.

The second war took place in 1965 and in this war India's army had reached Lahore, then a ceasefire was declared between the two countries.

The third war took place in 1971. In this war, Pakistan suffered a major defeat and it was divided into two parts and a new country Bangladesh was formed.

The fourth war was fought in 1999, which we know as the Kargil War. In this war, Pakistan's army infiltrated, the Indian army retaliated. And finally Pakistan had to retreat.

Article 370 and 35A: End of Special Status

On 5 August 2019, the Government of India passed a resolution in the Indian Parliament to abolish Article 370 and 35A from Jammu and Kashmir and divided the state of Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. The purpose of abolishing the special status was to stop terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, promote local development, strengthen national integration, in which India has almost succeeded.

Role of Pakistan and the question of POK

 Pakistan has been promoting terrorism in illegally occupied Kashmir since the 1990s. It handed over Sangam Valley of this region to China. Pakistan started the CPEC project in Gilgit-Baltistan in collaboration with China which is a challenge to India's sovereignty. Still, it is not stopping from doing this. In this sequence, Pakistan has been repeatedly warned by FATF on terrorist funding. Pakistan has divided this region into two parts. The first part is Azad Kashmir and the second part is Gilgit-Baltistan.

India's strategy in 2025

India's strategy is very clear on the Kashmir issue. There is a strong deployment of Indian Army and CRPF to protect Kashmiris. Tourism and education are being developed to speed up economic development in Jammu and Kashmir. Today, after the end of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, the participation of people in the electoral process from Panchayat to Assembly elections, Lok Sabha elections is much greater than expected. India has adopted a zero tolerance strategy against terrorism. And to root out radicalism, the policy of connecting youth with employment is the main policy of the Government of India. Today Jammu and Kashmir has progressed a lot compared to before.

International reactions

The whole world has different opinions on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir.

United Nations: The United Nations says that the Kashmir issue should be resolved through dialogue but India considers it an internal issue. It opposes mediation by any third party.

America: Supports India against terrorism. But is not openly in favor of anyone on the Kashmir issue. It says that this issue should be resolved through dialogue.

China: Opposes Ladakh and CPEC. The reason for its opposition is also the India-China border dispute. Aksai Chin, a major territory of Ladakh, is still under the occupation of China. Therefore, it supports Pakistan on this issue.

OIC: Being an Islamic Cooperation Organization, it stands with Pakistan but there are internal differences.

Conclusion

The Kashmir dispute remains one of the most complex and sensitive geopolitical issues in South Asia. Rooted in history and shaped by multiple wars, political decisions, and international diplomacy, it continues to impact the peace and stability of the region. While Pakistan attempts to internationalize the issue and continues to occupy parts of Jammu and Kashmir, India has firmly maintained that Kashmir is an integral part of its sovereign territory.

With the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, India has focused on development, integration, and the eradication of terrorism in the region. The increased participation of people in democratic processes and the growing infrastructure signal a shift toward normalization. However, global powers like the UN, US, China, and OIC continue to express varied responses, adding further complexity to the situation.

Ultimately, peace in Kashmir depends on regional cooperation, control over cross-border terrorism, and the consistent efforts of India to ensure security, prosperity, and unity in the region.