Pakistan's Kashmir policy: Objectives and approaches

Abstract

The underlying factors of Pakistan's Kashmir policy have remained unchanged since the first Kashmir war. Its diplomatic efforts both bilaterally as well as raising the issue at various international for a have been limited to malign India and to portray that bilateral approach have failed. Also, it seems to lack a genuine desire to resolve the problem mutually with India. It has not abandoned a militaristic approach to resolve the issue. Pakistan though forcefully advocates the implementation of the UN resolution, its lack of sincerity to implement Clause II of the UN resolution can be seen in its efforts. Its militaristic approach to resolve the Kashmir issue clearly shows its lack of interest in adhering to the UN resolution. While articulating about the wishes of the Kashmiri people it has followed its own political agenda. Whenever it talks of failure of bilateralism to solve the Kashmir issue, it can be interpreted as the non‐resolution of the issue on Pakistan's terms. Pakistan's persuasion of its nationalistic agenda within the framework of bilateralism has resulted in diplomatic stalemates. This paper analyses Pakistan's objective and approache towards the Kashmir issue and, given the changing international scenario, the possible options for its resolution.