Contrary to popular misunderstanding, Kashmir is not a territorial dispute between India and Pakistan but about the right of the Kashmiris to determine their own future. This has been recognized under International law and enshrined in several United Nations Security Council resolutions.
There is widespread misperception among many people, especially in the West, about the nature of the Kashmir dispute. It is generally assumed that Kashmir is a territorial dispute between India and Pakistan. Wikipedia, the layman’s encyclopaedia, for instance, says, “The Kashmir conflict is a territorial dispute between the Government of India, Kashmiri insurgent groups and the Government of Pakistan over control of the Kashmir region.” True, Wikipedia is not the most authoritative source of information but the fact that it carries such assertions gives clues to the widespread misinformation about a very tragic situation involving the future of 12 million Kashmiris.
While the two countries, India and Pakistan, are intimately involved —India, as occupying power and Pakistan as the aggrieved party — at its core, the Kashmir dispute is about the fundamental right of the people of Jammu and Kashmir to self-determination.
There is widespread misperception among many people, especially in the West, about the nature of the Kashmir dispute. It is generally assumed that Kashmir is a territorial dispute between India and Pakistan. Wikipedia, the layman’s encyclopaedia, for instance, says, “The Kashmir conflict is a territorial dispute between the Government of India, Kashmiri insurgent groups and the Government of Pakistan over control of the Kashmir region.” True, Wikipedia is not the most authoritative source of information but the fact that it carries such assertions gives clues to the widespread misinformation about a very tragic situation involving the future of 12 million Kashmiris.
While the two countries, India and Pakistan, are intimately involved —India, as occupying power and Pakistan as the aggrieved party — at its core, the Kashmir dispute is about the fundamental right of the people of Jammu and Kashmir to self-determination.