From Pulwama to Indian Revocation of Article 370 in Indian Held Kashmir: Policy implications on the Geopolitics of South Asia

Abstract

Ever since India and Pakistan entered into a conflict that commenced with Pulwama attacks, the following incidents have grabbed the geopolitical situation of South Asia into odds. The region has indulged in a security dilemma so much with the possibility of a nuclear war break out between the two nuclear neighbors. The Kashmir issue is a conventional issue between India and Pakistan since independence, but due to jingoistic opinions, news analysis, and perceptive political figures, the issue is overshadowed and grabbed into rhetoric supported by aggressive claims and biased connotations. At present, the Kashmir issue has been treated in the same fashion instead of understanding the issue from a systematic perspective. The policymakers, military establishment and regional and International media are debating with possible repercussions of a devastating nuclear breakout in the region. This article entails different scenarios that are through a series of domestic pressures that followed the Pulwama incident, showing a spilling effect in the South Asian region. While understanding the parameters of the theory of security dilemma mostly reflected through inter-state relations, this article draws attention to an area where security dilemma is examined through domestic politics and how it has driven responsible factors for bringing South Asia to a dangerous situation. The article then contemplates recommendations for Pakistani policymakers for multilevel diplomacy, activating diasporas at the international level and consistent media coverage over the Kashmir issue.