THE Kashmir dispute is widely recognized as one of the world’s longest-running, most violent and deeply entrenched issues, with roots extending back more than a half century. It is a complex, often violent and unresolved political, territorial and humanitarian issue that frequently features in international discourse and United Nations proceedings. In contemporary times, the Kashmir conflict has become a global issue due to the profound geopolitical and humanitarian ripple effects stemming from the escalation of hostilities, particularly after the May 2025 short war between two nuclear-armed neighbours, India and Pakistan. The conflict poses a severe threat to regional peace, as Kashmir, as indicated in international media and diplomatic circles, has significantly internationalized the issue, bringing it to the forefront of global attention.

Strategically, Kashmir is one of the most volatile locations, as this region is positioned between Pakistan, India and China, three countries with nuclear weapons. It also shares borders with Afghanistan, a country that connects South Asia and Central Asia and serves as a bridge between Europe and the rest of Asia. The Kashmir region spans 222,200 square kilometres (85,800 sq miles), with about four (4) million people living on the Pakistan side of Kashmir and thirteen........

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