Kashmir Issue: A Strategic Competition

Kashmir is one of the most unstable regions on the planet Earth. For seven decades, it is a
battleground between Pakistan and India because of its strategic importance. India has so far
committed aggression against Pakistan more than three times over Kashmir. Since both nations
are nuclear powers, the conflict poses a severe threat to world security and has drawn
considerable attention on a worldwide scale. Every attempt at resolving the violent conflict in
Kashmir has failed for three-quarters of a century. Although Colonial Powers are to be blamed
for creating the issue, the major powers like the USA have not shown any interest in resolving it
either.

The importance of Kashmir in terms of national security, geography, and resources is the
fundamental cause of this ongoing territorial dispute between the two nations. To comprehend
the Kashmir issue, we must first consider Kashmir’s geographic significance. Kashmir is one of
the most strategically important locations in the world as this region is placed between Pakistan,
India, and China, three countries with nuclear weapons. It is important to note that Pakistan
acquiring nuclear weapons in 1998 helped to stabilize relations between India and Pakistan by
restoring balance of power.

Regarding Kashmir’s strategic location, the valley spans an area of 86,772 square miles between
some of the Karakoram’s and the Himalayas’ tallest peaks. Kashmir also shares its border with
Afghanistan, a country that connects South Asia with Central Asia, while Central Asia serves as
a physical link between Europe and the rest of Asia. Also, the vital Indus River, which is crucial
for Pakistani agriculture, starts from Kashmir. In addition, Kashmir is crucial to China’s
interests, particularly considering the Belt and Road Initiative and the China-Pakistan Economic
Corridor. For all these reasons, Kashmir is in a vital geopolitical position, with each nation
claiming the entire area but only controlling a portion of it.

Kashmir has vital geostrategic relevance for Pakistan as the water supply comes from this
Himalayan region. The Indus River, which flows through the country, is substantially
responsible for its survival. The Indus River starts from Kashmir; thus, Pakistan relies heavily on
water coming from the Kashmir region. Agriculture is the nation’s main industry and the
backbone of its economy and it is the only river system supporting the country. It also provides
most of the Pakistan’s supply of potable water and sustains numerous heavy industries. If
Pakistan loses its battle with India over Kashmir, then Pakistan will face severe water shortages,
which will have a negative impact on the country’s agriculture sector, put the nation’s food
supply at mortal risk, increase the likelihood of protracted energy shortages, and result in
sluggish economic growth.

Kashmir is strategically significant to India as well. Annexation of Kashmir would give India a
tremendous edge via which India could easily establish a strategic foothold in Central Asia, a
region that is abundant in natural resources with massive oil, gas, and cheap hydel reserves. This
has attracted the attention of various countries, including India. That is why India is attempting
to establish a link via land with Afghanistan to get more access to Central Asia via a shorter
route through Kashmir.

China has a strategic interest in Kashmir since it governs the eastern portion of the region,
known as the Aksai Chin, a large territory abutting Ladakh. China constructed National Highway
219, a route that runs through this region and links the isolated provinces of Xinjiang and Tibet.
So, losing it would result in the cut-off of that national roadway. The road also makes it easier to
gather forces to put an end to any rebellion and if it falls into Indian hands, China will be left
open to hostile moves by India. Therefore, China will not cede Aksai Chin to safeguard its
sovereignty. Also, it has a significant stake in Gilgit-Baltistan because it is where China’s main
Belt and Road project, CPEC runs through. At Gwadar port, it will connect China to the warm
seas of the Arabian Sea.

In the end, Kashmir has turned into a war zone because of Indian intransigence, and it could flare
up at any time like a volcano and inevitably swallow up the entire world. Majority of Kashmiris
have revolted against India while Pakistan considers itself to be the region’s lawful and
legitimate heir. China has no objection to Pakistan’s claim, but the major Western powers
believe that if this land is given to Pakistan, it will open the door for their steadfast ally China to
travel anyplace from there and all other powerful nations would become irrelevant.